The Fragrance That Fills the World
By Dean Collins
I saw a lot of people walking in our nation’s capital last week. Even in the long government shutdown, there were people walking everywhere. Some were employees of restaurants, stores, and hotels. Some were school children on field trips. Some were staff members of senators and members of Congress who, though unpaid, still showed up for work. But then I saw a parade.
In 2 Corinthians 2, we read about a parade. The apostle Paul said, “Christ always leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” Sometimes parades happen in proximity to ball games, fairs, and festivals, and that usually means there is likely a food truck or some tailgate grilling going on nearby. Parades often include something to see, something to hear, and something to smell—and hopefully, something to eat will soon follow.
The apostle Paul’s description of the triumphal procession also includes a description of certain aromas. Paul described a fragrance which he called “the aroma of Christ.” Paul went on to say that two audiences smell this fragrance differently: “to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” Those who have received Christ smell the vibrancy of life. Those who resist, who do not choose the path of faith, unfortunately experience the fragrance of death.
There were no marching bands or military troops in the parade I saw last week. There were no floats or massive balloons like you might see in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parades you may remember. This parade included some 70 to 80 people. This parade, which I chose to walk in, included pastors and Christian leaders from 49 of the 50 states and a contingent of pastors and faith leaders from various countries on the continent of Africa. We walked in groups as we headed to the metro, where we took the train to the White House lawn, where we took time to pray by name for the 170 senators and members of Congress whose offices we were about to visit.
We walked with one voice and purpose. We came to bring hope and to request continued funding for medicine and food supplies that allow those without resources to have an opportunity to live a healthy life instead of dying from AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases, and to have access to food in areas of great scarcity.
We reminded our leaders that for decades our government has provided this aid that not only helps others but helps the United States as well. Often, the medicine needed is manufactured by American companies, and much of the grain for food is grown by American farmers. And all of this costs less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the federal budget.
Christ is the leader of every parade and procession that cares for the poor. The Bible, and especially the teachings of Jesus, are very clear. Paul knew what we sometimes slowly learn—we are called to share the good news of Jesus and to care for the poor, both here and abroad, not as peddlers of God’s word but as people of sincerity, as commissioned by God. And in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
I saw Jesus in that parade last week. I am quite sure that even today He might want you to join Him in His triumphal procession, sharing the love of Christ with others. May the aroma of Christ be sweet in and around you as you care for others in the name of Jesus.
Father, thank you for calling us to be a part of your hands and feet here on earth. Direct our paths that we would bring you glory, and may the fragrance of Christ draw others to you through us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 ESV
Photo by Pexels
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