“His cheeks are like a bed of spices, Banks of scented herbs” (Song of Solomon 5:13)  

Solomon exalts in the beauty of Christ, using the stimulation of fragrance as a way of expressing joy and contentment in Him. This month of Spring, we’re surrounded by the fragrance of new life. It’s a good time to rejoice in the fragrance of Christ’s sacrifice that enabled you to be born again. “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1). This references the fact that every Old Testament sacrifice pre-figured the sacrifice of Christ, creating a “sweet-smelling aroma”. It was impossible for the blood of animals to take away sin. That’s why, when Christ came into the world, He said, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me” (Hebrews 10:5). Because of Christ’s sacrifice, “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:9). 

 The sweet smell of Christ’s sacrifice makes us acceptable to God. Animal sacrifices produced a “sweet-smelling aroma”, so it’s not surprising the early Church equated “sweet-smelling aroma” with Christ’s sacrifice, and the sacrifice of our lives in His service. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).