THE AROMA OF CHRIST

THEN ONE OF THE PHARISEES ASKED HIM TO EAT WITH HIM. AND HE WENT TO THE PHARISEES HOUSE AND SAT DOWN TO EAT. AND BEHOLD, A WOMAN WHO WAS IN THE CITY AND WAS A SINNER, WHEN SHE KNEW THAT JESUS SAT AT THE TABLE IN THE PHARISEES HOUSE, BOUGHT AN ALABASTER FLASK OF FRAGRANT OIL, AND STOOD AT HIS FEET BEHIND HIM WEEPING; AND SHE BEGAN TO WASH HIS FEET WITH HER TEARS, AND WIPED THEM WITH THE HAIR OF HER HEAD, AND SHE KISSED HIS FEET AND ANOINTED THEM WITH FRAGRANT OIL. NOW WHEN THE PHARISEE WHO HAD INVITED HIM SAW THIS HE SPOKE TO HIMSELF, SAYING, "THIS MAN, IF HE WERE A PROPHET WOULD KNOW WHO AND OF WHAT MANNER OF WOMAN THIS IS WHO IS TOUCHING HIM, FOR SHE IS A SINNER." AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID TO HIM, "SIMON, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU."....................(Luke 7:36-40)

For me this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. If you read on Jesus goes on to tell a parable which, as always, puts the ones with the judgmental attitude in their place. Jesus points out that when He entered Simon's house he wasn't given water to wash His feet, was not greeted with a kiss and did not receive an anointing of any kind. Jesus then points out beautifully how this woman, who had many sins, had washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair; how she not only anointed His feet with fragrant oil, but also never ceased in kissing them. Truly this woman was loving and worshiping Jesus not only outwardly, but inwardly, as well. I can almost hear the love in Jesus voice when He looked at her telling her, "Your sins are forgiven you." He then told her that her faith had saved her and to go in peace. I encourage you to go to the Bible and read the entire account for yourself.

I've already mentioned how much I have always enjoyed this passage, but recently I heard Bill Johnson teach on it which caused a real burning within me. Bill spoke of how when the woman left the house, not only were her sins completely forgiven, but she that house smelling just like Jesus. She had on His fragrance. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want that aroma. Do you remember another passage in the Bible when people perceived and realized that Peter and John "had been with Jesus?" What a marvelous thing. There is a longing in my heart that after I've been around someone that they would have be able to say the same thing about me. To carry with me the aroma of the Lord.

It is very possible you know. Several years ago my wife and I were eating in a small restaurant in Elyria, Ohio. A police officer walked in and was simply looking at people. I was watching him do this and I could just tell by the expression on his face and the look in his eyes that he was different. He carried with him a look of compassion and kindness. I looked over at Kay and said, "I'll bet that cop is a Christian." We then blessed our food and thanked the Lord for it. When we finished praying I opened my eyes and there was the police officer standing right by our table. He told us how much he appreciated us praying in public for our food. I then spoke of how I could tell that he was a Christian as soon as he came in. We talked for a few minutes about the Lord and then he left. It was amazing. I'm still not sure why he had walked in. He didn't get anything to eat and only spoke with us. Maybe God set that whole thing up so I could later encourage you by telling you about it! Those amazing divine appointments!

I don't make any New Year's resolutions, but the last two years God has showed me right after the New Year what He wants me to work on over the next 12 months. Last year I was challenged with really learning to love people the way that Jesus did. Believe me that is easier said that done. There was more than one time when I realized how difficult it was to really "turn the other cheek." Only a few days ago the Lord revealed to me this years project and that is to learn how to have on the aroma of Jesus at all times.

Is that the fragrance of Christ that I can smell on you?

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)

Blessing you in the name of Jesus,
Mark S.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'm so glad you've chosen to visit my blog and hope that my thoughts have brought encouragement to you this year. Get the fireplace going and listen to the sounds of Christmas. As I write these words I am praying for the warmth and love offered by the PRINCE OF PEACE to overwhelm your heart.



"But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)

"The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous branch, a king who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land." (Jeremiah 23:5)

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,............" (Deuteronomy 18:15)

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)

"The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2)

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this [will be] the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:10-14)

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

May you also ponder the wonders of the Christ!

Much love,
Mark