How Are You Smellin?

Over the years when someone has told me I smell good, I often respond with “Well I sure am glad you said “good”…otherwise it would have been, ‘You smell’!!!

When you think about the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, have you ever thought about how Jesus smelled?

Just a few days before, Jesus had raised His friend, Lazarus, from the dead. People didn't want Him to do it, because they knew Lazarus would stink. We know the smell of death and we don’t want to smell it. We recognize that smell. Yet, Jesus not only raised His friend from the dead, but told the people around him to take off his grave clothes.

The story of Lazarus is the gospel. We are trapped in “death clothes” because of our sin that has separated us from relationship with God. Jesus comes, and resurrects us from the grave to offer us new life through Him!

What if God calls you to take the grave clothes off someone who stinks of death, so that you can be a part of the resurrection life-transformation of another?

After raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus goes to a dinner, and Mary comes and brings her perfume and anoints Jesus with oil. I love that when Judas tries to scold her, Jesus says, "Leave her alone." <Side Note: Oh, that we would worship Jesus and not care what other's thought. Oh that Jesus would say of me "Leave her alone" as He loved my sincere and unhindered worship.>

Many believe that the anointing oil was so expensive, that it would have only been used by kings. This was expensive perfume. It was a fragrant perfume. Many believed it may have been saved for her wedding day (selah). Perhaps she realized it WAS her wedding day! Can you imagine how that room smelled? How JESUS smelled? Like Royalty!!!

Then, the very next day, Jesus comes into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and the fragrance of royalty came with Him.

Jesus Came In On A Donkey And The Fragrance Of Royalty Came With Him

The Triumphal Entry was what a warrior did when coming in after victory in a battle and everyone would praise them. Palm branches are a sign of victory, and the people waved palm branches as Jesus entered in. Though they didn’t realize it yet, Jesus was about to win the victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave for them!!! Because He loved them!!!

Jesus didn't come in with pomp and circumstance, as many of them thought He would, but came in lowly, on a donkey. Lowly, Holy, and Boldly. The higher God elevates you, the lower you must become.

The higher God elevates you, the lower you must become.

Many believed that the Messiah they had heard about and prayed for would come in as powerful king and wipe out the persecution of the Romans. But Jesus didn't look like that, nor was His actions what they expected; and so they missed Him. They misunderstood this fragrant king. Don't miss Your King because He doesn't look, act, speak, or respond like you think He should.

Don't Miss Your King

Jesus prophesied of what He would do at the death, burial, and resurrection of Lazarus. He let the people smell what it smells like apart from Jesus. He let them smell the smell of death.

And then, Jesus came into town smelling like royalty; smelling like life; smelling like victory; smelling like a Bridegroom.

So, the question we must ponder….the question we must honestly evaluate is this: How do you smell? What odor do you give off? Like death…..or life? Raggedy….or Royal? Do you smell like a brothel….or a Bride?

"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 the fragrance of Christ."

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Father God, help us to smell like life. Help us, Holy Spirit, to smell like victory, and Jesus, help us to smell like we just came from our wedding. Empower us, Holy Spirit, to spread the aroma of the knowledge (intimacy) of You, everywhere we go. In Jesus’ name I humbly ask, amen.