A Pleasing Aroma (Part 2)
Have you enjoyed this weather change? Doesn't it just look different outside when the temperature and humidity decrease? Monday morning, it was 54 degrees, and as I walked out of my garage to take Josie to preschool, I could smell the smoke from the tobacco barns. When you catch a whiff of campfire smoke, what memories come up? When you start to smell the smoke from tobacco barns, what season do you place yourself in? The campfire smoke smell always reminds me of fall and makes my day brighter when I smell it. The scent seems to fit the cooler temperatures than it does when it is 90 degrees and muggy outside. Let's learn about an aroma that filled the room where Jesus was and probably made Him smile when he smelled it.
In John 12:1-8, we read of a costly aroma that filled the room where Jesus was. Jesus was at the home of Lazarus, and we can imply that this was also the home of Mary and Martha (John 12:1,2). During this time at their home, Jesus was served in various ways. Martha served Him food and drink. Lazarus served Jesus with companionship as he reclined at the table with Him. Mary served Jesus by anointing His feet with a costly perfume. I wonder if Jesus ever smelled that same perfume and thought of that day when His friends spent time serving Him.
When you really think about it, we can serve Jesus in many different ways. This passage alone provides three opportunities.
We can serve through our companionship. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus and one whom Jesus cared deeply for (John 11:35-36). Sometimes, the best service we can provide someone with is to do what Lazarus did and sit with people. Have a conversation with them. This connection is not just a relief from everyday life but a testament to the value and significance of each individual.
We can serve through our service. Martha is no stranger to service (Luke 10:38-42). She is an excellent example of someone who took on the responsibility of ensuring everyone was cared for. There are so many different ways we can serve someone. My encouragement for anyone is to see a need and fill it. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus had been performing signs and teaching nonstop up to this point. Jesus was probably famished. So, Martha filled that need. We can do the same for those around us.
We can serve through our sacrifice. The main idea behind this passage is making sacrifices for the Lord. Mary had made a costly sacrifice in honor of Jesus. The Man who just raised her brother from the dead (John 11:43). Mary sacrificed a pound of ointment that cost nearly a year's worth of wages (John 12:5). She anointed the feet of Jesus with it. The smell filled the room. I know this is speculation, but I think Jesus smiled when the aroma hit His sense of smell. Jesus knew the costly sacrifice she was making to honor Him. Let us honor Jesus by serving Him through our sacrifices too.
Opportunities to serve are abundant and waiting for us. Let us find a way to serve this week, and in doing so, experience the joy and inspiration that comes from serving our Lord.
— Matt Jones, Preaching Minister