June 6, 2025 -- Ephesians 5:1-2 -- Fragrance

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

Jesus, in giving Himself up for us, is described by Paul as a fragrant offering. The fragrance of Jesus’ life was released as He suffered. Look at these examples.

• Mark 6:30 ff. Jesus had just been informed His cousin, John the Baptist, had been put to death by Herod. His disciples had just returned from going to various cities where He’d sent them to prepare the way. He wanted to take them to a desolate place, but crowds followed them. Jesus did not get annoyed. He had compassion on them and taught them. And then fed them.

• John 18:15ff. After Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all his disciples fled. As He stood before the religious leaders, facing His death, Peter was outside, in the courtyard, denying he was ever a follower of Jesus. Though Jesus was being crushed for the sake of our sins, He endured to the end.

What is the hardest thing you have to face? Take a moment and think about it. As you face this living as a Christian, no doubt you will be crushed. Some of you may know that I like cooking. When you season your food with dried herbs, like parsley, what you need to do is rub it between your fingers as you’re adding it to your food, so that the taste and the fragrance of the herb is released. The fact that you are crushed means that the fragrance of following Jesus will be released. In a real sense, people will see what you’re made of. It is easy to follow Jesus when all things are well; but when you are tested to the core of who you are, and you remain faithful, that is witness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, enduring suffering for Jesus, that is love reflected back to Jesus, who first loved you.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve You as You deserve; to give and not count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, except the reward of knowing that we do Your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Courage. Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces, 1950. page 34

https://youtu.be/FAK2SaKQ1NQ?si=U7uhUmnuCCENNcg- A Christian’s Daily Prayer

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