2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Triumph in Christ 12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. odb.org/2014/03/18/sweet-fragrance/ Some scents are unforgettable. Recently, my husband mentioned he was running low on shaving cream. “I’ll pick some up,” I offered. “Can you get this kind?” he asked, showing me the can. “I love the smell—it’s the kind my dad always used.” I smiled, recalling the time I had been momentarily taken back to my childhood when I got a whiff of the same shampoo my mom used to wash my hair. For both Tom and me, the fragrances had brought an emotional response and pleasant memory of people we loved who were no longer around. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Memories, imagination, old sentiments, and associations are more readily reached through the sense of smell than through any other channel.” So, what if our lives were a fragrance that attracted people to God? Second Corinthians 2:15 says that “we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Our fragrance is pleasing to God, but it also attracts others to Him or repels them. We who understand the sacrifice of Jesus have the opportunity to be the “fragrance of Christ”—a reminder of Him—to others. The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior. Let my hands perform His bidding, Let my feet run in His ways, Let my eyes see Jesus only, Let my lips speak forth His praise. —James When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance that can inspire others to follow. Insight In today’s reading, we see a dramatic picture of Christ as victor. In the world of ancient Rome, a conquering general would be rewarded with a “triumph,” a celebrative victory parade. The conquered enemies subjugated as slaves would often follow the procession. Paul used this event familiar to his audience to represent Jesus Christ as the triumphant hero. Considering himself a slave of Christ (Phil. 1:1), Paul thought it an honor and a joy to have been conquered by the Lord he now loved and served. Often during a triumphal parade, the temple doors were thrown open and the fragrance of garlands and incense flooded the parade procession with the sweet aroma of victory. Certainly, the gospel has a sweet spiritual aroma for those who believe.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:26:31 +0000
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