pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: fragrance


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From One Degree to the Next

Reading: 2nd Corinthians 1-3

2nd Corinthians 2:16 – “We smell like a contagious dead person to those who are dying, but we smell like the fountain of life to those who are being saved.”

Today we begin Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church. It was written about 18 months after his first letter, written on the heels of a humiliating personal experience in Corinth. Of his 13 letters, this is Paul’s most personal letter. He wants to reestablish his place of authority as an apostle and he wants to restore his relationship with the church.

Chapter 1 begins with a declaration that God is the God who comforts us. God does this so that we can comfort others. We share in Christ’s suffering too. Paul speaks of the troubles “far beyond our strength” that God rescued them from in Asia. Because of this rescue, Paul and his companions have set their hope on God.

Paul then speaks of their conduct. It has been with “godly sincerity and pure motives.” They desire for the Corinthians to more fully understand their own faith. Paul wants to visit again, but has delayed the visit. He did not want to visit when still so upset. In fact, he wrote in tears with an “anxious and troubled heart.” Even so, he asks the church in Corinth to forgive and comfort the one who humiliated Paul. He states that he is testing them with this request – “to see if you are obedient.”

Next Paul talks of his ministry. He notes that it is like “the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.” It goes before then and “We smell like a contagious dead person to those who are dying, but we smell like the fountain of life to those who are being saved.” This is a powerful thought and image. It begs the question: What does our life and ministry smell like to others?

Chapter 3 connects the church to Paul. They are the letters of Christ, the fruit of his ministry. Christ is written on their hearts by the Holy Spirit. They represent the new covenant, established by Jesus, sustained by the Spirit. Daily they are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, “from one degree of glory to the next.” What a thought! May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, at times we receive comfort and at times we give comfort. At times we suffer and this equips us to comfort others in their suffering. We daily seek to write Christ more and more upon our hearts, deepening our faith and hope. As we do so, God, transform us more and more into the image of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.


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To Linger

Reading: John 12:7-8

Verse 8: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Photo credit: Aron Visuals

In the first half of this week’s passage from John 12 Mary anoints Jesus’ feet and Judas protests this “wasteful” act. The beautiful gift that Mary offered filled the room with fragrance. The sweet aroma would be carried with Mary for many days after she wiped his feet with her hair. I think this was intentional. That fragrance will linger with her; it will still be present five days later as she stands with others at the foot of Jesus’ cross.

Jesus defends her, saying, “Leave her alone.” He explains that she was helping to prepare his body for burial. Clearly Mary understands more than most of the disciples at this point. Jesus talk of rejection and death and rising after three days has spoken into Mary’s heart. Then Jesus goes on to say, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Jesus is not telling the disciples or us to quit caring for the poor – in any way. He is saying that in this moment, Mary has once again chosen the better thing. (See Luke 10:38-43.) Yes, it is good and would be right to use the money to care for the poor. But in this moment, at this time, this act of faith and love is more important.

We can face similar decisions at times. We too can face some critique or questioning. One quick, small example. I stand outside and welcome people to church, often holding the door open as we shake hands. A woman sometimes arrives just as church is about to begin. With her oxygen tank and walker, it takes a bit of time to get into the church. Sometimes she has food or other items for the food pantry too. My watch buzzed me two minutes before church starts. We run a one minute countdown timer on the screens in the sanctuary. Some days I linger outside. When I enter the sanctuary on these days, some look at the clock or their watches. I’m good with that.

Lord God, remind me always of the one. Remind me again and again that things like our human construct of time aren’t always ultra important. Do the same with all else that can hamper our relationship with you and with one another. Amen.


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Fragrance in the Air

Reading: John 12:1-6

Verse 3: “And the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

In the first half of this week’s gospel lesson we see a sharp contrast between Mary and Judas. Jesus and the disciples are gathered at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus for a dinner honoring Jesus. During the dinner Mary pours a jar of really expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipes off the excess with her hair. Mary understands what soon lies ahead for Jesus and she offers this act of love as a part of preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Her extravagant gift to Jesus is a great example of discipleship. In spite of what Judas is about to say, even if it were a cheap bottle of perfume, the heart behind her action would still model genuine discipleship.

Judas protests the use of this valuable item for such a purpose. I can imagine he thought, “Might as well just pour it in the ground.” Judas protests on the basis of a better use for the valuable perfume: it could’ve been sold and the money given to the poor! On the surface, this is a very disciple-like thing to say. But it is the right thing for the wrong reason. In verse 6 we read that Judas was a thief. A piece of a year’s worth of wages would’ve been nice for his pocket.

In verse 3 we read about another physical result of Mary’s gift: “And the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume.” The sweet smell of her offering filled the space. It lingered in the air. Certainly future encounters with that aroma – and maybe with all perfume aromas – would evoke memories of Mary’s gift to Jesus. It would remind them to then go and do the same. The fragrance that hung in the air was one of love and service. When we leave a room or space, does the way we have loved and served linger in the air?

Prayer: Lord God, help me to live in such a way that the fragrance of Christ is upon me. As I seek to live and serve others may a part of that fragrance be imparted to all I meet. Thank you, Lord. Amen.