THE AROMA OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP

"Then the priest will burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the Lord." (Leviticus 1:9b HCSB)

In only four chapters, the phrase, "a pleasing aroma to the Lord" is repeated nine times. This underscores the aroma of acceptable worship.

Worship is so significant that it is woven into the fabric of all the Scripture--from the offering of righteous Abel in Genesis to the occupation of heaven's throngs in Revelation--a constant reminder of the primacy of worship. God desires it, deserves it and delights in it. It is the believer's priority on earth and will be our preoccupation for eternity.

In Genesis, we see RUIN. Sin has marred everything. The paradise God has designed is now pervaded with death--the contamination of corruption and corresponding condemnation of the curse. The drumbeat of doom echoes through the corridors of those fifty chapters. Adam and Eve defy God and are driven from God's garden. The first murder occurs when Cain slaughters his own brother and Cain is driven from the Lord's presence. The earth becomes so vile and violent that God washes it clean by sending a flood which destroys all life, but the seed of future generations of man and beast is secured on the ark. That new beginning is soon spoiled, as the race builds a tower and seeks an empire--the arrogance of egotism--and God brings confusion, driving them apart, scattering the populace to the ends of the earth. Need we speak of Sodom--so perverse that it is incinerated by God's wrath? Even in the best of men, we see at times the worst of behavior. Noah gets drunk, Abraham lies, Isaac repeats it, Jacob cheats, his sons are cruel and lustful. Yet, where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. God is calling out a people and extending His covenant promise to them. In the midst of sin's cesspool grows the fragrant flower of hope.

So, we come to Exodus and find REDEMPTION. There is a way out of slavery. It is by the blood of a lamb. A price is paid to redeem the people of God. They are set free by God's power, and not their own. We learn that God knows our pitiful condition. He cares and brings us out. Slaves of sin--that is what we are. We dwell in Egypt--symbolic of this wicked world. The death sentence hangs over us. But, that is why Jesus came, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. As God opened the Red Sea for Israel and brought them out of Egypt and into new life, so we who have applied the blood of Christ, by faith, have new life in Him.

Now, our travels through the text take us to Leviticus and we observe RESPONSE. Worship is the only appropriate action in view of a people who have been redeemed at such a price, from such a condition.

Leviticus is about the worship of God. It is foundational to the life that pleases God. If we are not careful, we will become bogged down in the ritual recorded and miss the point. As we say, we cannot see the forest for the trees. Sadly, this may be the place where many well-intentioned Christians who planned to read their Bible through, start to struggle. The jaw-dropping soap opera that Genesis can be and the thrill a minute roller coaster of Exodus ends with a discussion of the tabernacle and its furnishings, and we find ourselves suddenly surrounded by entrails and blood, in the company of priests, looking at water to wash in and an altar of burning meat. The guidelines given seem monotonous. What's up with that? Can't we skip this part?

It is tempting. But I want to remind you that gold and gems are not found scattered on the surface of the soil, rather, they are buried deeply and must be mined by digging beneath the surface. Thus, it is with the treasure of truth. It is so rewarding to those who labor for it!

It is all about a life that pleases God. It is about the fragrance of acceptable worship that brings a whiff of heaven's atmosphere which overrides the sinful stench of earth's environment, and one which promises the sweet perfume that pervades eternity. I want that!

Jesus is the theme. In the sacrifices we see Him. The Lamb of God, without blemish, exuded an aroma which brought perfect pleasure to Holy God: in the gracious words that He spoke, flowing from a heart of complete devotion; in the loving works that he showed, moved by a mind consumed with compassion; in the ultimate worship that He shared, fulfilling his mission of redemption in dying on the cross! Total surrender! So, we hear, "And there came a voice from heaven: 'This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!' " (Matthew 3:17 HCSB) It was repeated on the Mount of Transfiguration--and I suspect for a third time, when Jesus ascended back to glory and walked in triumph down the streets of gold!

Now, it is our privilege to express our delight in Him, by offering ourselves and all we are in worship of the worthy One! Paul underscores this theme, as the Apostle presents his systematic doctrine of salvation in Romans, taking us from RUIN in chapters 1-3, as we find the indictment from our sin, to REDEMPTION in chapters 4-11, as we see the intervention of our Savior, to RESPONSE in chapters 12-16, as we note the implications for our service. Those implications begin with these words, "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1 HCSB)

My sacrifice is a fragrant response to Christ's sacrifice. It is that kind of offering which Paul commended the Philippians for giving, "But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided-a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." (Philippians 4:18 HCSB)

There is something about the aroma of steaks sizzling on a grill that gets me to salivating. The aroma of those Levitical burnt offerings would not only ascend into the sky and bring pleasure to God, but would waft through the camp and captivate the people.

Of course, not everyone responds with favor to the smell of meat cooking--some react with fury! You have heard of PETA, I'm sure--people fanatically opposed to killing animals.

Similarly, the aroma of a life offered to God will produce a strong reaction--a hunger for God among some and a hatred among others. "But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 HCSB)

May God enable us to smell the fragrance of Christ, rising from the sacrifices we study in Leviticus, and may that stir us to offer ourselves in worship of Him. Such a life will make a difference in the world--and will bring delight to God!