The Fragrance of Messiah
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-17(CJB), Paul says the following: thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him! For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; to the latter, we are the smell of death leading only to more death; but to the former, we are the sweet smell of life leading to more life. Who is equal to such a task? For we are not like a lot of folks who go about huckstering God’s message for a fee; on the contrary, we speak out of a sincere heart, as people sent by God, standing in God’s presence, living in union with the Messiah.
So according to Paul, we (the believers) spread the knowledge of Christ (but not without some pomp and circumstance–he says we are part of a triumphal procession led by Jesus. As this procession moves, it spread the fragrance of Christ–the Promised One.
Let’s stop for a moment to unpack the idea of the Fragrance of the Promised One. Isn’t it the fragrance of hope–hope of an eternal future with God made possible by the shed blood of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead.
If hope had a fragrance, perhaps it would smell like us as we proceed through life leaving in our wake the fragrance of the One who knew no sin and became sin for us–the fragrance of a perfect offering.
According to the apostle John, in 1 John 2:2 (AMP), He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.
As the atoning sacrifice for us, Jesus’ is the fulfillment of the law. He is the ultimate offering. What is it that God so enjoys about the offering? We’re told many times. The offerings are “a sweet aroma to the LORD.” And so too was Jesus’ sacrifice a sweet aroma unto God. His sacrifice made the way for many to have relationship with God. His sacrifice atoned for the sin of the whole world. Hallelujah! What at Savior! Sweet is His perfume!
And as we allow Him to fill us with His Spirit and to sanctify our lives, we take on His fragrance–the aroma of death to self–the sweet aroma that is so pleasing to God.
Rooted and Grounded 