As I reread the opening chapters of Leviticus, it strikes me how much God really delights in certain smells. Again and again, the text says that the offerings presented before Him are “a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”
Then when we turn to the New Testament, we discover that this idea carries forward—not with burnt offerings, but with lives transformed by Christ.
God likes how you smell.
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.
—2 Corinthians 2:15–16
He loves the smell of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
—Ephesians 5:2
He delights in the aroma of our generosity.
I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
—Philippians 4:18
The Lord has always been drawn to the scent of devotion, love, and surrender. May our lives give off that same fragrance today—the aroma of Christ Himself.
Because honestly, I’d rather smell like that than like Lazarus.
As his sister said, “Lord, by this time he stinketh.”
—John 11:39 (KJV)