Motivational Inspiration/ /Sweet Smelling Aroma
What does aroma mean in the Bible?
When the Jewish people wanted to be forgiven of their sins they would purchase a spotlessly clean animal and take it to a high priest for a sacrifice. ("Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness..") During the sacrificial ceremony on the altar in the holy of holies, there was a separate offering of burnt incense in front of the curtain. The aroma was a mixture of oils and spices that was pleasing to the Lord. This altar is a representation of Christ.
As Jesus was our intercessor, he preceded the sacrifice for our sins. He became not only our sweet-smelling sacrifice, He was our precious lamb that was slain.
"Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us."
Romans 8:34b
Why are there two forms of sacrifice then? "...The altar is especially holy to the Lord.” The incense had to be by the exact recipe God had given to His people. It was burnt each morning and at twilight. I believe it symbolizes the heart of prayer. How do we first come to God? We ought to come to Him with a reverent heart.
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns."
Here is an amazing animated video created by The Bible Project that explains what sacrifices really meant in Biblical times.
"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."
People once had to come to the temple in Jerusalem for their annual sacrifice, but now we can come to the Father with our hearts as a sacrifice because of Jesus Christ! Oh, how great is His love and mercy towards us!
By each lash and stripe on His perfect body, we were forgiven. He was the most perfect lamb sent to us in a lowly manger who had to die a gruesome and bloody death. No man has ever been tortured physically and emotionally as Christ was. How special we must be to be loved so great a sacrifice.
The question that motivated me to write this post is, are we a sweet-smelling aroma to God?
Do we remember the price which was paid because of our selfish desires? Are we taking account of the pain Christ went through because we can't control our sinful nature? We were born into sin, but we do not have to live like we were. We always have the option to choose right or wrong. We can either accept God's gift of redemption or refuse eternal life.
This song has been a recent favorite of mine. In fact, I'm listening to it now!
I must admit that my life hasn't been a sweet-smelling sacrifice to the Lord. I've let my mind get distracted and strayed from Him. Even though I make mistakes and my life isn't perfect, He grants us love anyway. All we have to give is our hearts sincerely to a worthy God.
Those are my cup of thoughts today. Thanks for reading!
♡Anna
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