Recently I have been reading through Leviticus, and when reading the first few chapters on the sacrificial system I was struck by the repetition of, “It is a ‘x’ offering…an aroma pleasing to the LORD.” And I couldn’t help but immediately think of Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God….” Yet, quickly after thinking of this verse I was overwhelmed with the fact that the Isrealites were to offer an animal “without blemish or defect.” But surveying today, last week, last month, and my life how could I be that sacrifice pleasing to God?
…long pause…
I CAN’T! I heap guilt upon myself everyday, but we are made “holy and pleasing to God” through our union with Christ. Those of us who, through (or by or on account of or in) faith, are baptized are united to Christ in our baptism. Thus, it is not so much our offering that makes the aroma pleasing; I am sure my scent is more like the trash I took out this morning. Instead, “we are to God the aroma of Christ…” (2 Cor. 2:15). And, it is in light of our union with Christ that our good deeds are now pleasing to God, lest we think to highly of ourselves. So praise God, that He does not smell my odor but the aroma of Christ fragrantly coming from his life and sacrifice.
Good-smelling words, brother. Charis monos!
Thank you brother I needed that! Praise Jesus our Lord!
I was thinking of this today also. I love the dinner hour when you take a walk and all you can smell is the wonderful BBQ offering in the air. It often makes me to think of this passage of scripture. Is my life a pleasing offering to the lord? OH how wonderful that smell is. Thank you for sharing.
Precisely I was reading Leviticus today (8/3/11) and I googled “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” and found your blog. Thank you for your touching words. I pray that my life is a pleasing aroma to God. God, thank you for sending your Son. Praise the Lord!