The fragrance of Christ

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. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. – 2 Corinthians 2v14-15

I think we have all noticed how certain smells can bring certain moments and events back to our memory. Certain smells remind us of special places or special people. I read someplace that the smell receptor is most closely connected to memory. I don’t really know if that is true or not, but I do know that smells do stir up memories.

Here Paul uses smell to place a mental image in the minds of the Corinthians. The custom in the Roman Empire was to hold a great parade called The Triumph when generals and their troops returned from a successful military campaign. The city would be prepared. Incense would be lit, sacrifices were made, and flowers would line the streets. On the pavement itself flower petals were strewn and as the horses, soldiers, and chariots moved through the streets the flower petals would be crushed and sweet aromas released. When Paul wrote these words of The Triumph and its associated fragrances the readers’ memories released thoughts of victory.

Now my mind is drawn to that first Easter. As the women approached the tomb they were carrying spices and fragrances for Jesus’ body. Up until now these were scents associated with death in their minds. As they approached the tomb they saw the stone rolled away and heard those marvellous words, “He is risen!” Praise God for that marvellous truth, my God and my Redeemer is alive today. Are we stretching things too far to imagine that the smells of the spices the women carried evoked a different memory from this time forward?

How do these two tie together? Paul’s words remind us that we are to portray the fragrance of His knowledge to all around us. Even more than that we are the fragrance of Christ to the saved and the lost.

Saying that, what do people “smell” when they are around us? Do they sense the stench of defeat and death as we walk in the flesh? Or do they sense the glorious scents of joy, celebration, and victory that comes with the risen Christ? What memories do people have of me? When they hear my name what “smells” come to mind? I am a fragrance either way. May I always be that fragrance of the victorious risen Christ!