Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

The aroma of Jesus

by Sue Griffiths

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV

Smell is our most evocative sense. Wild garlic in the woods in spring, elder blossom, wild honeysuckle, new-mown grass in the hay meadows, and meadowsweet are all part of my smell of the countryside.

But God says that, when He thinks of us, He smells Jesus.

Recently, my son and I smelt a dreadful smell in the woods. It was really bad and very dead: a dead deer, lying in the ditch. We got out quick.

How do people react when they come across me? Do they run away and get out quick? Avoid me before I notice them? Or do they run after me because they want to greet me, hug me?

Do we make life miserable for those around us – because we’re always challenging, complaining, arguing, moaning? Or do others think of us first as people they like to have around: people who will volunteer when there are grim jobs to be done, people who will listen and love and identify with others when they are distressed? Are we peace-makers, who bring harmony and understanding? Or do we bring dissention and argument, leaving upset wrecks behind us?

When Lazarus was very ill, Jesus was the person Mary and Martha wanted near them. They trusted Jesus implicitly. Jesus restored Lazarus back to life.

Jesus touched the untouchable outcast leper man, someone whom nobody had touched since leprosy first appeared on his skin. Jesus healed the man - but first He brought deep emotional healing by that touch of acceptance.

At the well in Samaria, Jesus brought transformation to the woman who came to fetch water. He exposed the deep issues of her rejection and shame; and she knew she was totally accepted by Jesus.

I think the ‘aroma of Christ’ is a multi-faceted experience, made up of many different things - just like my ‘smell memory’ associated with open countryside. It’s as though each of us, individually, brings to God our contribution of what becomes, to our Father, the aroma of Jesus in our world today.

To those who hate Jesus, that smell of His presence will be bad. It may seem strong and disgusting. We can’t help that. Jesus also found the same reaction operated against Him when people hated His Father.

But the Father loves it when we, His children, bring to Him that sweet sacrificial aroma of His Son. And we do it by being as He was, wherever we are.

Prayer: God, my Father, I want to be, today, for You, the sweet aroma of Your Son, to bring Your love, Your mercy, Your acceptance and Your healing to those around me. I want to bring Your joy, Your delight, Your affirmation and Your life to the atmosphere of wherever I am. Amen.

Sue Griffiths Sue found deep inner healing through the teaching and ministry at Ellel ministries and is now part of the associate ministry team at Ellel Grange. Previously, Sue was a specialist in English Literature and a vicar’s wife. Her passion is to see others coming into freedom in Christ in their personal lives. Sue’s an outdoors person, loves gardening, walking, and many creative things. She and Richard, her husband, now live in Northumberland and enjoy a great family of 3 grown up kids and some grandkids.

 

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