And the fragrance of the Holy Spirit
Many years ago, I attended a Christian conference in Brighton, England. The main speaker was Bill Subritsky who posed the question of how do we recognize the anointing of the Holy Spirit? One perhaps surprising answer is that we might recognize him by his fragrance. Bill said that sometimes believers could smell the fragrance of God and backed up his claim by giving a fascinating example! To smell the fragrance of God is not a common experience but it is scriptural. We do need to be careful about our experiences on their own without scriptural precedent, nevertheless we walk by faith and not by sight like other people.
More recently we did a study on the wise men’s (magi) gifts to Jesus. Particularly the frankincense and myrrh because of their fragrances seem to be pertinent to this study.
So, does God have a fragrance?
Here is what the scripture says.
Exodus 30:23-38; In the Tabernacle we find the incense altar. The myrrh and cassia were prepared with olive oil and this was a perfume for sacred use only (common use was forbidden).
Anointing anything with this holy oil, imputes holiness to whatever is anointed by it.
Oil, as you know, is a type of representation of the Holy Spirit.
Aaron the high priest was consecrated with such fragrant oil.
Matthew 3:16 and Hebrews 4:14-16; Jesus Christ our High Priest received the Holy Spirit without measure at his water baptism. It is both scriptural and logical to infer Jesus as our high priest would be scented by myrrh, aloes and cassia (see Psalm 45:8).
In John 12:3; we find the woman performing an act of anointing Jesus for burial lead prior to his death.
In John 19:38-39; Jesus our high priest was embalmed in myrrh and aloes.
Psalms 45:6-8. All his garments are perfumed with myrrh, aloes and cassia and we are identified with his fragrance.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 which suggests that because we know Jesus Christ, we have his scent! We are the fragrance of Christ to those who are being saved, but the stench of death to them that are perishing! No wonder we believers sometimes get up some people's’ noses!
The fragrance of the Holy Spirit
A missionary in Japan tells the story of how he went into a room and immediately asked if a member of the royal family been in the room. His host was surprised but answered yes and asked the missionary how he knew.
The missionary answered that he recognized the fragrance of the perfume only worn by the Japanese royal family.
It would be lovely if we could recognize the fragrance of the Holy Spirit when he was present!
Some years ago a bible teacher (the late Roger Price) claimed to smell freesias sometime when the Holy Spirit is moving.
Would you recognize the scent of freesias?
Important to remember if you want your fragrance released
Incense must be burned, and herbs/spices need to be crushed to release their fragrance.
Perhaps we will need some burning or crushing in our lives to release the fragrance to God?
Amen
Personal prayer