Jesus Stinks (and you should, too)

I was reading in 2 Corinthians the other day about how Christians are supposed to be the "aroma" of Jesus. Chapter two, verse 14 says, "But thanks be to God, who...uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere."

At first, "aroma" seemed like a strange word to use. We're supposed to make others smell who Jesus is? Really? Helping people see Jesus and feel Jesus and hear Jesus makes perfect sense...but providing a way for our friends and neighbors to smell Jesus doesn't seem to quite fit.

That is until I really started thinking about the power of smell...

• Aromas draw you in from afar, they don't demand anything. (Think about the smell of Cinnabon at the mall.)
• Aromas remind you of specific times and places. (Like camp or Fall or your best friend's house.)
• Aromas make you hungry. (Maybe fresh bread or grilled steak or homemade cookies.)
• Aromas get noticed even when you're not looking or listening for them. (Perhaps the perfume of someone passing by or the smell of rain right before a thunderstorm.)

With those things in mind, I have an entirely new outlook on what being the "aroma of Christ" really means. Truly living that concept out requires that my words, my actions, and my very countenance will:

• Draw people to Jesus, not demand it.
• Remind others of who Christ is.
• Cause a hunger for him.
• And, surprise those who aren't even looking for Jesus in the first place.

Oh, the other thing it's important to understand about smell...

• Aromas wear off eventually. (Spend time in the car of a smoker and you'll smell like smoke, but you won't smell like that forever.) 

Meaning, as Christians, we must remember that regular contact with Jesus is what makes us smell like him in the first place.