Eau de Jesus

We've heard we should act like Jesus. But we're also supposed to smell like him! Before we rush to the shop to buy 'eau de travelling preacher from a hot country in the 1st Century AD', let's look at what the Bible means by 'aroma of Christ': 'We are...the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved, and those who are perishing. To one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life' (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NIV).

When the Roman army won in battle, they paraded their defeated foes through the streets in chains. And as part of the celebration they burned incense on a series of altars throughout the city. That way those who couldn't see the procession knew the army had won, because they could smell the incense. The aroma symbolised their victory.

As followers of Jesus, we carry 'the aroma of the knowledge of him' (2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV). Our life should be so full of God's presence that people around us sense it. After all, we are the most compelling evidence that Jesus is alive. God uses his people to make himself known. The more time we spend with Jesus, talking to him, reading his word, listening and worshipping him, the more people will say, 'There's something different about you.'



So what now? Be aware of yourself, wherever you go and whoever you're with. Are you the 'aroma of Christ'? Does your scent make the atmosphere sweeter?





— SCRIPTURE —

'We are...the aroma of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Eze 37:1-14, Matt 27:50-53, 1 Thes 4:13-18