The Fragrance of Christ

One of the key symptoms of Covid 19 is the loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.  What a change this would have on our lives as we navigate around our environment.  Unable to smell that freshly-ground coffee in the early morning hours, or the aroma of those things we love during our day like flowers, freshly cut grass or the smell of our favourite meal.

In the Bible there are many references to a wide range of fragrances, especially in the book of Song of Solomon where the book oozes with smells, fragrances, and other oriental aromas.

For a few moments we would like to consider the fragrance of the Lord Jesus Christ and with special reference to MYRRH. 

Native to Northern Africa and the Middle East, MYRRH is the aromatic resin of Commiphora, a small, thorny species of tree. The concentrated oil form of the substance delivers the warm, earthy smell of black liquorice which myrrh is synonymous with.

At the outset and throughout the fragrant life of the Lord Jesus here on earth this precious substance was associated with Him.  In the house, when he was a young child, the wise men came in and they “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and MYRRH” (Matthew 2 v 11).

The Lord Jesus grew up and lived a perfect life here on earth.  As the Shulamite maiden considered her beloved one in the Song of Solomon, these words are often associated with the Lord Jesus and describe his ways and perfect path in the world. “His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling MYRRH.” (Song of Solomon 5 v 13)

Throughout His life, He “went about doing good” (Act 10 v 38) and many loving words were given to individuals and multitudes through His teaching.  The fragrance of His person was expressed through the many “miracles and wonders and signs” (Acts 2 v 22) and the sweet fragrance of MYRRH was evident through the loving words from His lips and the love for the people around Him.

The Lord Jesus was sent from God and as the epistle of John confirms “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World” (1 John 4 v 14).  The First book of Timothy also goes on to confirm “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;” (1 Timothy 1 v 15).

We have all fallen short of Gods standard and the Bible declares “we are sinners” but the Lord Jesus came to save us from our sin by dying on the cross of Calvary and shedding His precious blood.

“God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5 v 8).

As he hung on the cross, outside the great city of Jerusalem, there were those at the foot of the cross “and they gave him to drink wine mingled with MYRRH: but he received it not”.  During that dark and violent scene “at the place of a skull” (Mark 15 v 23) the fragrance of MYRRH would have been lingering in the air as the Lord Jesus Christ “died for our sins”. (1 Corinthians 15 v 3)

The Lord Jesus died, and His body was lovingly laid in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.  They “brought a mixture of MYRRH and aloes, about a hundred pound weight” (John 19 v 39) and they would have carefully and reverently taken the body and “wound it in linen clothes with the spices”. (John 19 v 40)

But on the third day the Lord Jesus arose from the dead and was seen by many.  Again, the fragrance of MYRRH would have been evident from the spices and aloes applied during his burial a few days before.

As we look on the perfect life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus we can be taken up with the fragrance and sweetness of Him.  A verse in the Song of Solomon references that “thy name is as ointment poured forth” (Song of Solomon 1 v 3) “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2 v 21)

Will YOU repent of your sin and call upon Him TODAY for Salvation?, and then you will know with assurance that your sins have been forgiven and your eternal home in Heaven has been secured.

“A bundle of MYRRH is my well-beloved unto me” (Song of Solomon 1 v 13)

Paul Cartwright