The Power of Smell and Memory in Scripture
The smell of sweet honeysuckle in the spring is like no other. As a child we touched its nectar to our tongues and imagined what the birds and bees did with it. The smell conjured up images of warm, sunny days and walks in the woods. Fresh peaches, that was another wonderful smell. In those days peaches were sweet and made the very best pies on earth. They smelled of peaches, cinnamon, and summer.
Smell is a powerful sense. It brings up memories, some not always good. Maybe you remember the stench of your dog coming back covered in skunk spray, cleaning out the dairy cow barn, or accidentally getting a whiff of your Mom's cleaning ammonia.
Sometimes the same smell that one person considers wonderful smells terrible to someone else. The same smell that is delightful to one can cause someone else to have an asthma attack. The Lord uses the imagery of smell in his Word to convey when something is acceptable and when it is not. It is beautiful, figurative language.
A Pleasing Aroma or a Stench? Understanding Sacrifices in the Bible
Sacrifices that were made in the Old Testament had a "pleasing aroma" to God when they were accompanied with sincerity, true repentance, and obedience. This sweet smell is symbolic of the importance of relationship, obedience and worship between God and His people. These same sacrifices were like a "stench" to God when they were offered with no sincerity, repentance, or obedience (Isaiah 65:5).
The Fragrance of Christ: A Pleasing Aroma to God
Paul describes Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice, the one most pleasing to God in Ephesians 5:2: “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." This is why we, as believers, are called to carry the fragrance of Christ—a pleasing aroma to God that reflects our faith and obedience. Jesus lived in perfect obedience and was sinless before God. His sacrifice on the cross for our sins is forever good and acceptable to God. Christ gave Himself up for us. What greater love can there be? Dear friend, if you ever doubt His love toward you remember that.
The Aroma of Christ: A Message of Life or Death?
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul talks of our triumph in Christ in ways that would have been very understandable to his audience. He says that "God leads us in triumph in Christ" and "through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." We Christians "are to God the fragrance of Christ among" both and the saved and the lost. "To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life."
Paul's symbolism would have been understood by the Corinthians. They had witnessed Roman victory parades with all the glory given to the Roman conquerors. They would have smelled the scent of incense in the air during these parades.
The Roman Victory Parade and the Fragrance of Triumph
Like a triumphant Roman parade returning from a successful campaign, the commander leads the parade. Following the commander is his triumphant army, and last come the prisoners, many of whom would be sentenced to death. Incense was offered as a symbol of victory, celebrating the defeat of Rome’s enemies.
Bystanders could not only see the spoils of battle but also smell them. The smell brought joy to those who celebrated Rome's victory, but for the prisoners of war, it was a reminder of their impending death. Just as the Roman general led his army in triumph, Christ leads us in a far greater victory—not one of earthly conquest, but of deliverance from sin and death.
From Captives to Conquerors: Our Role in Christ’s Victory
Jesus is the commander of the Lord's triumphant army (Joshua 5:13-15). We are his soldiers (Philippians 2:25). At one point in our lives we were all captives, captives and slaves to sin, but now, if we belong to Jesus, we are like the Roman soldiers called to battle, but our battle is against sin. We are slaves now to Jesus and willing to lay down our lives for Him (Romans 6:15-23).
The Fragrance of Christ in Our Daily Lives
But what is the knowledge of God? It is a gift given to us by Him through which we can understand His truth and grow to be more like Him. The more we grow in relationship to Him the more we should want to share this knowledge with others.
If people are in the ocean drowning and I have a way to save them, would I keep all the life jackets and lifebuoys to myself? Would that be love? The knowledge of Jesus should flow from me as naturally as the fragrance of a honeysuckle vine in bloom.
Imagine you’re at work and notice a coworker visibly upset. Instead of just passing by, you take a moment to ask if they’re alright and listen carefully to their concerns. You offer a word of encouragement or even share a brief prayer with them if they're open to it. This small act of kindness not only helps lift their spirit but also becomes a real expression of Christ’s love. It is a sweet, enduring fragrance that reflects His grace and compassion in your daily life.
So Paul is saying that the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus goes forth from us in all directions. It permeates the space we are in like the incense in the parade. This knowledge of Christ is an aroma that signifies victory over evil. We shouldn't even have to talk for someone to sense Christ in us. The things we do and the things we say spread His knowledge. When those around us are aware of it, it is sweet smelling to those who accept Him and believe in Him, but to those who reject Him it is a symbol of the judgment that awaits them at death.
What Do Others Smell When They Are Near You?
In Philippians 4:18, Paul talks about receiving a gift from the church at Philippi from Epaphroditus. He says they are "an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God." When people are around us what do they think of God? What 'fragrance' do our actions and words make them think of? Are we well pleasing to God? We are a letter from Christ as Paul says (2 Corinthians 3:3). Like the pages of a scented love letter, our pleasing odor to God should rise from the pages of our life.
Some people will want to draw near to this fragrance while others will want to get away from it as quickly as possible. When some people smell this scent of the knowledge of Jesus they will want to smell more, they will want to be closer to find out more about this Jesus. For others, they will run. This knowledge of Jesus is convicting, it means change, it means giving up self.
The Final Choice: The Sweet Smell of Life or the Stench of Death
We have two choices in this life—to accept or reject the love of Christ. One choice leads to life and one to death. One choice is like a sweet aroma, a memory of goodness we cherish; the other is putrid, foul, and repelling. The devil will do his best to spread lies. He will tell us that we don't need Jesus. That Jesus doesn't love us. But Jesus has already won this battle for us. There is victory in Jesus. Jesus is the only answer for a life longing to experience the fullness of God's love.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
Who is Sufficient for These Things? Living as a Fragrant Offering
Paul concludes verse 16 by saying, "And who is sufficient for these things?" Paul is humbled by the knowledge that Jesus has left us on this earth to spread His knowledge. It is His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His generosity, and His sacrifice that we are to show others in our lives. This is His fragrance. Only by the grace of God are we sufficient to bring this knowledge to others.
When God sees and smells our life is it a pleasing aroma that He receives? If we are humble, obedient and repentant it will be. Or is it a stench? God knows our heart. He knows if we are sincere. Do we offer a sacrifice of praise to Him (Hebrews 13:15-16)? We praise God for who He is, even in our dark times. Do we come to Him in humility and obedience as Lord of all?
When someone is near you can they smell a sweet aroma of the sacrifice of your life for Christ or are they unsure? Let's make sure they know we live for Christ by praying, studying and being diligent Christians. Do we remember who it is that is at the head of this triumphant parade we are marching in? Do we remember who has the victory? Praise be Jesus Christ, King of Glory!
Enjoy Victory in Jesus performed by the Band Steele
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