Do You Smell That?

By Austin Johnson
     Do you smell that? If I could have had a dime for every time someone said that I would be a rich man! Have you ever thought about how strong our sense of smell is? Think about the last time you walked in to a Subway—What was the first thing you noticed? The smell! Our sense of smell can trigger real life memories.
     This past weekend I was reminded of one of my favorite smells in the world. Brianne and I were visiting my parents in Richmond, KY, and Mom had all sorts of food cooking in the kitchen. There were about 20 people over for lunch, and, as the food was being prepared, I noticed that familiar smell of food and family!
     What a blessing—having noses to smell that help us experience life. Paul understood how strong our sense of smell is. In 2 Corinthians 2:14 he said, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” (emphasis added) Just like Subway and my mom’s cooking, there is a distinct fragrance of the knowledge of God. This word “fragrance” is one used often in the Old Testament in reference to pleasing sacrifices to the Lord (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:25, 41; Numbers 15:3). Christ is already mentioned as the ultimate sacrifice, and here Paul is suggesting that through the sacrifice of our lives we become the distinct fragrance of God.
     Paul goes on to say in verses 15-16, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” (emphasis added) Not everyone is willing to accept this sacrificial life. So for some our “fragrance” is the scent of death, but to others it is life!
     So do you smell that? What is your fragrance suggesting about you? Are you sacrificing yourself daily for the Father or living selfishly?

- Austin Johnson serves as youth minister for the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com