Sweet Aromas (This Week in the Kitchen - 3)

Cooking in the kitchen on a summer afternoon can be a pleasant time to have the senses nearly assaulted by a variety of wonderful aromas. Freshly brewed coffee, fresh flowers (both on my table and outside my window), baked goods right out of the oven and sauces simmering on the stove: these are some of the many aromas that create a pleasing sensation.

Aromas can be a very powerful force. Some scents will evoke memories from the past. It does not take long for the combined aromas of caramel apples and cotton candy to take one’s mind back to a favorite childhood memory of a carnival. Aromas can also evoke strong emotion. Walking into a home with the scent of your favorite casserole or soup simmering on the stove, may not only create a ravenous hunger, but also bring comfort and even joy.

We are told in Scripture that several things create a pleasing aroma for our Heavenly Father.

 Spreading the knowledge of God is compared to a sweet fragrance. “But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMP) This fragrance is enjoyed both by the hearers of this gospel and our loving Father God Who watches from on high. The anticipation of souls soon to be saved through our words is both pleasing and invigorating.

Another pleasing aroma to our Lord is sacrificial love. “And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.” (Ephesians 5:2 AMP) When we choose to put the needs and desires of others ahead of our own, God is reminded of the sweet fragrance of the sacrificial, loving death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. That moment of victory over sin and death is the greatest in Earth’s history. Our small offerings of sacrificial love evoke the loving response of that great sacrifice. That aroma must be sweeter than we can imagine.

God has called us each to be holy, which means set apart for Him. Holiness is another human action that is called a great fragrance unto the Lord. “For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel, says the Lord God, there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me. There will I [graciously] accept them, and there will I require your offerings and the firstfruits and the choicest of your contributions, with all your sacred things. I will accept you [graciously] as a pleasant odor when I lead you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered, and I will manifest My holiness among you in the sight of the nations [who will seek Me because of My power displayed in you].” (Ezekiel 20:40-41 AMP) Physical sacrifices had the aroma of the smoke that could be smelled by all. Our willingness to be called apart for the sake of God’s kingdom produces that same wonderful aroma in heaven.

 Offering of gifts is connected with a fragrant aroma. “Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3 AMP) Jesus spoke fondly of this beautiful act of giving this rare and expensive ointment. He desired that news of it would be shared. The account occurs in all four Gospels. (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37, John 12:3) The apostle Paul also spoke of the pleasing aroma of gifts. “But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.” (Philippians 4:18 AMP)

Prayer is compared to the pleasing scent of incense that rises up before the Lord. Our Father God loves for His children to speak to Him. Our hearts should be tender towards communication with God. “Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 AMP) “And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each was holding a harp (lute or guitar), and they had golden bowls full of incense (fragrant spices and gums for burning), which are the prayers of God's people (the saints).” (Revelation 5:8 AMP)

Create a pleasing aroma in one or many of these ways. Your Heavenly Father will thoroughly enjoy it.