Kitchen, bathroom, garage - the aroma can define the space. What does gratitude smell like? God isn't sniffing any gratitude in Isaiah 43. But Mary fills the room with the aroma of gratitude, as her perfume anoints Jesus' feet. And there is a reprimand.
Aroma can attract and repel. As a repellent, it deters us from doing something that threatens well-being, like the aroma of food gone bad. Yet it can attract, like a flower's scent for the pollen-collecting bee, or a kitchen bathed in the aroma of baked bread.
In Isaiah 43, God declares a new thing. God's works bring praise from the animals of the desert as streams break forth in the wasteland. But God's people, for whom such blessings were intended, there is no praise, only silence. God continues to call attention to the lack of offerings, the lack of aroma of any sacrifices. There is no gratitude from God's own people. Yet still God will forgive them, but for God's own sake.
John 12 tells the story of Mary breaking open an entire jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus' feet. a gift usually reserved for the dead. Here it is given to Jesus while he is still alive, but headed into Jerusalem for the events of Holy Week. The aroma of gratitude permeates the room.
But Judas is angered by the waste. Following the teachings of Jesus, Judas betrays a spirit that reveals his knowledge of Jesus' teachings, but also a spirit for their corruption.
Sort it all out by watching the sermon video below.
Aroma can attract and repel. As a repellent, it deters us from doing something that threatens well-being, like the aroma of food gone bad. Yet it can attract, like a flower's scent for the pollen-collecting bee, or a kitchen bathed in the aroma of baked bread.
In Isaiah 43, God declares a new thing. God's works bring praise from the animals of the desert as streams break forth in the wasteland. But God's people, for whom such blessings were intended, there is no praise, only silence. God continues to call attention to the lack of offerings, the lack of aroma of any sacrifices. There is no gratitude from God's own people. Yet still God will forgive them, but for God's own sake.
John 12 tells the story of Mary breaking open an entire jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus' feet. a gift usually reserved for the dead. Here it is given to Jesus while he is still alive, but headed into Jerusalem for the events of Holy Week. The aroma of gratitude permeates the room.
But Judas is angered by the waste. Following the teachings of Jesus, Judas betrays a spirit that reveals his knowledge of Jesus' teachings, but also a spirit for their corruption.
Sort it all out by watching the sermon video below.
| 04-07-19-sermon.mp3 |
| 04-07-19-ff-answers.pdf |
| 04-07-19-aroma_of_gratitude.pdf |