Saturday 24th May
Read Ephesians 5:1-2
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (NIVUK)
All the language of Leviticus concerning the pleasing aroma of a sacrifice made out of devotion to the Lord sits beneath this strange, grace-filled comment by Paul. Calvin draws out the implications of this relationship between smell and love with typical brevity.
“While this statement leads us to admire the grace of Christ, it bears directly on the present subject. No language, indeed, can fully represent the consequences and efficacy of Christ’s death. This is the only price by which we are reconciled to God. The doctrine of faith on this subject holds the highest rank. But the more extraordinary the discoveries which have reached us of the Redeemer’s kindness, the more strongly are we bound to his service. Besides, we may infer from Paul’s words, that, unless we love one another, none of our duties will be acceptable in the sight of God. If the reconciliation of men, effected by Christ, was a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour, we, too, shall be “unto God a sweet savour,” (2 Corinthians 2:15,) when this holy perfume is spread over us. To this applies the saying of Christ, “Leave thy gift before the altar, and go and be reconciled to thy brother.” (Matthew 5:24.).” (Calvin’s Commentaries)
In other words, unless we love one another, we stink.
