Monday, October 30, 2006

The Fragrance of Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-15:

14 But 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. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

Here are a couple of big ideas from the passage:

1. Jesus is THE conqueror. - In Roman days, the triumphal procession was something that was rarely done. The commander who won the battle had to fulfill strict stipulations that the senate had made. "[It] was required that the victory be complete and decisive, that it should be over a foreign foe, that at least five thousand of the enemy should be slain in a single battle, that the conquest should extend the territory of the state, and that it put an end to the war."1 Jesus has and is conquering everything for YOU, Christian! And, He is ALWAYS (not just sometimes) leading you in triumphal procession. He conquered the greatest foes. And, He did it so that you might know Christ, be satisfied in Him, and so that He might...

2. Spread the fragrance of Christ through you. - Paul is still using the "procession" analogy. You must remember that a Roman Soldier lived for this day. Being a soldier was his only occupation. But the soldier wasn't the only one excited. Everything in a city was focused on the procession down to very specific details. They'd even have incense burning throughout the city. Imagine what it was like for a soldier marching behind his victorious commander while people are cheering them on and the city streets smell glorious! In the same sense, Paul is telling us that God spreads the fragrance/smell of Jesus through us. And, this fragrance (which is the knowledge of Christ) is all-satisfying. Listen, Paul isn't saying, "If you'd just do all the right things, God will spread the fragrance of Christ through you." No, Paul says that God does spread the fragrance through you, a righteous sinner. He accomplishes His will through you, and He has purposed to satisfy you with Christ.

So, wrapping up, I want you to be encouraged by the fact that you are ALWAYS being led in triumphal procession. You, only on the basis of Christ, are victorious over sin, death, hell, Satan and your flesh! I also want you to walk away being reminded that Christ is the ultimate satisfaction. He's the fragrance that you cannot get enough of. He's all-satisfying, and because he is all-satisfying, that fragrance spreads through you to others so that they too might draw closer to Christ!

Praise God that He's victorious!



1. Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners & Customs of the Bible. Rev. ed.]. North Brunswick, NJ : Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998, S. 541

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Long time no post.