A Sweet Fragrance
I was once part of a church which had small group prayer and Bible studies. Occasionally all of the groups met together to share some of the things we had been learning. On one of these evenings, the leader requested that each group bring in an ‘object’ that represented the spiritual life of the group. This was a challenge but we managed to think of something and brought in an old running shoe because we were a group that wanted to keep on going with God, run the race God set before us well. Another group brought in something that has remained in my mind ever since — a bottle of perfume. They sprayed it over the congregation, saying they wanted to be the sweet smelling fragrance of God to people around them.
I often think of that bottle of perfume and pray that the fragrance of Christ will fill our lives, our homes and our church. That as we humbly help others, as we give generously of our time and our things, as we hold others before God in prayer and as we look for the right to time to encourage someone, people will smell something of God and his generous love to them.
The Gospel reading expresses this so well. Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume in the middle of a dinner, and we read, “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume”. Her humble act of service and worship filled the house with a sweet smell. Somehow she was able to move from her own celebration of Lazarus’ rising from the dead to perceive that Jesus needed encouragement. Jesus commended her and did not stop her from her extravagant act of devotion and service.
Unfortunately, there is often a stench near by. Look at Judas. He does nothing to fill the place with a nice aroma, but brings instead, the sour smell of cynicism. He is quick to criticise Mary’s devotion to Jesus. He is too concerned about himself to serve another in such a way! Even his concern for the poor was self-serving. Over the next few days, Judas’ cynicism turns into a loss of loyalty and honesty and eventually, the betrayal of Jesus.
Our acts of service to others and our prayers are described in the Bible as a pleasing aroma to God, like incense or a sweet smelling sacrifice. He does not demand that we give or that we obey, but he certainly is delighted when we do so with the right motives. He delights in our worship and wants us to fill the places we go with the fragrance of his love.
What kind of aroma will you give off this week? The sweet fragrance of devotion and service to Jesus, or the sour smell of cynicism?
Rev’d Beth Spence