Do You “Smell” Like Jesus During the Christmas Season ? (Part 2)

In the first Article on “Smelling Like Jesus” I talked about how “Fragrances” warms the heart of those who experience them, like walking into a store that has candles burning. That simple thing of a fragrance or a candle can and often does create an “Attitude Adjustment” in us. If people are grumpy from shopping or just the business of life during Christmas the stores that utilize fragrance have an advantage with their customers. I spoke about how Satan is very active during the Christmas season to get people so stressed out that they won’t see Jesus and the redemption story. In fact, Satan’s objective is to “Short Circuit” the spirit of Christmas and the hope God intends for humanity. The Holy Spirit wants to use the body of Christ to shine the light of Christ and the hope that the good news brings. If you haven’t read the first article please do so to get the full background before reading this portion.

The scripture I used in the last article on this subject concerning the “Fragrance of God” is:

2 Corinthians 2:15                                                                                                                                                            

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 

Just as “Bad odor” like bad breath or body odor are repulsive depending on how strong the smell is so “Pleasant Odor” is not only welcomed it has a very tangible effect on us often without us even realizing it. Let me list some scientific facts about how fragrance affects us.

First, it actually lowers our stress levels and has a calming effect on us. It a person sprays a flower scent around a bed before you go to sleep eventually it helps you to have more positive dreams. Bed time aromas influence the things we dream about and can affect the “Plots” of the dreams we have. Amazing!

Animals have a better sense of smell than we do. Dogs have about  200,000,000 receptors in their nose but a human has only about 5,000,000. Smell affects our emotions of fear or happiness. Researchers have increasingly shown that smell can have an impact on almost everything, from dreams, emotions, driving, stress, and even gambling or pain. Did you know that smell affects insomnia and stress? Among the fragrances that affect our sleep are lavender, vanilla, and coffee!  Diabetics who were happy and injected with insulin found that their glucose fell just because of experiencing pleasant smells. Peppermint, strawberry, and lavender have been found to have a very positive affect on concentration. There are so many more areas where smells affect our lives both good and bad. This is just one of the reasons I believe the apostle Paul used this reference to aroma in 2 Corinthians 2:15.

In my “BC” days I use to smoke a pipe. The main reason is I love the smell of cherry pipe tobacco. When I would smoke it relaxed me and now I understand why. I have often said if I reach 85 years old I’m going to start smoking a pipe again!

In the Old Testament, God instructed the priest to anoint the Tabernacle and all that was in it to be used for both sacrifice and worship. Look at just a few verses about how important it was when entering into worship and sacred service to the Lord.

Exodus 30:25-33                                                                                                                                                             

Blend these ingredients into a holy anointing oil. [26] Use this scented oil to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, [27] the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its accessories, the incense altar, [28] the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the large washbasin with its pedestal. [29] Sanctify them to make them entirely holy. After this, whatever touches them will become holy. [30] Use this oil also to anoint Aaron and his sons, sanctifying them so they can minister before me as priests. [31] And say to the people of Israel, ‘This will always be my holy anointing oil. [32] It must never be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you must never make any of it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy. [33] Anyone who blends scented oil like it or puts any of it on someone who is not a priest will be cut off from the community.’”

God was establishing a pattern for people coming before Him in worship to be impacted by their sense of smell. He wanted people to always remember the experience and be impacted by not only by the act of worship, but also the experience of worship. Rarely do I ever walk into a church building and smell a pleasant fragrance that impacts my worship yet God established it to be done in times past. God was so serious about how to worship with these fragrances that if people tried to copy the anointing oil for common purposes they were banished from the community.

Look what King David wrote about God loving people who live with the ethics of godly right and wrong.

Psalms 45:7

You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

David says there is a blessing in following God’s heart in life. That we get to experience the “Oil of Joy” more than anyone else. Shouldn’t God’s people love doing what God does in reaching the unsaved and lost person? Shouldn’t we reflect the Lord’s attitude found in John 3:16?

John 3:16-17                                                                                                                                                                        

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

The very heart of God is to sacrifice for the world and all that it contains so people wouldn’t have to experience judgment for their sins. Our job as followers of Christ is to reflect the Father’s heart for a lost and dying world. Jesus left us on this planet to be his “Ambassadors” or representatives of the kingdom of God in a world that is confused and burdened down by their rebellion. Remember Satan is behind confusing humanity and getting them to live for worthless things.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21                                                                                                                                                          

We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

So, let me close with this encouragement. God is so interested in using each and every one of us that He will, if we believe, set up “Divine Appointments” tailor made to share our testimony of the good news this Christmas. Don’t let Satan scare you into being silent when God wants you to speak. Let the Holy Spirit know of your willingness to share God’s love with someone and trust Him to lead you to the right person.

Questions:

1) When was the last time you told someone how & why you found Jesus? Today would be a good day to do so.

2) Will you obey God and fulfill Matthew 28:19? Smell the anointing oil ready to be poured out for you!

Matthew 28:19-20                                                                                                                                                     

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Merry Christmas, Pastor Dale