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Summertime usually brings a proliferation of weddings. The beautifully attired bride and her bridesmaids carry flower bouquets, adding beauty and fragrance to the occasion, stimulating our senses and filling us with happy thoughts.
In the detailed descriptions of the sacrifices that God ordained (see especially Leviticus and Numbers), we read repeatedly that when they were offered as God prescribed, and with a right heart, they were an aroma pleasing to God. Paul likewise describes the redeeming love of Christ as giving “himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:2).
In January of last year, the wife of a beloved teaching colleague of mine was taken ill and required hospitalization. The following months were a significant pilgrimage through the valley of the shadow of death. Numerous hospitalizations, doctor visits, rehab stints, follow-up tests, blood draws—at times there were glimpses of hope, and at times she was on the very verge of death. During those months, she was visited daily by her devoted husband and family and friends. At each visit, there was the reading of Scripture, prayer, and the singing of the great old hymns. Each time, it was like a miniature worship service. In early May, her difficult journey came to an end as she was carried by angels to the bosom of her Savior.
I’ve often thought about that long road of trial and suffering. It was draining emotionally and physically for my friend and his family. But this I have concluded: Everywhere they went, they left the fragrance of Christ. Whether it was with a nurse, doctor, patient, visitor, or anyone else, others knew that this was a family who loves Christ, is not ashamed of Christ, and worships Him in all circumstances. That is a great testimony.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14, we read, “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” In the previous context, Paul speaks of a near-death experience in Asia (1:8–9), of writing to them “out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears” (2:4), and of the disappointing experience of not finding Titus at Troas as he expected (2:12–13). Yet he knew that, painful as those experiences were, God caused him to triumph and the fragrance of Christ was spread. But note that as the knowledge of Christ is spread everywhere, it is not received in the same way by all. To those who are being saved, it is the sweet aroma of life; to those who are perishing because they reject the gospel, it is the dreadful odor of death (vv. 15–16).
Let us make it our prayerful aim to leave the sweet aroma of Christ wherever we go. Whether it is with a family member, neighbor, storekeeper, teammate, homeless person, or anyone else, may others know that we love Christ and are not ashamed of Him. May the fragrance of Christ be left with them.