Sweet Smell of Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)  But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

In the margin in my Bible, next to 2 Corinthians 14, is the question, "Do you stink?" There was nothing else, no further explanation, only those three words forming that question. I had to find out more about this comment so I opened the Life Application Bible Notes to see what I could find.

Romans triumphal processionals would include displaying all their captives and any treasures amidst a cloud of incense burned to their gods. To those who were the victors, the smell was sweet but to the captives in the parade it smelled like slavery and death.

I remember those days in Catholic Church when observing a special feast day; incense was often part of the service. I can still smell the awful ‘stink’ that hung in the air as the procession moved up the aisle toward the altar. I admit, it is difficult to be around people or things that don't smell so sweet. Truth is that could be any one of us on any given day if our deodorant fails, or if we stumble into something foul smelling.

I am reminded that my behavior or my attitude on any given day could be just as offensive as any strange odor I might share. Something to think about this morning; what fragrance are you leaving in your wake? Will Jesus smile when He gets a whiff?

2 Corinthians 2