Lent, Day 27: THE FRAGRANT INCENSE

Scripture:   Exodus 30:1-10 

Focus on the Word

A part of the worship of ancient Israel centered on what was called, The Altar of Incense.  On that portable altar the High Priest maintained the burning of a "fragrant incense" (Exodus 30:7, NASB).  Every morning and evening he would tend to it so that, as God had instructed, it would be "a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations" (Exodus 30:8, NASB).  Matthew Henry shares the story this way:

The altar of incense represented the Son of God in his human nature, and the incense burned thereon typified his pleading for his people. The continual intercession of Christ was represented by the daily burning of incense thereon, morning and evening. Once every year the blood of the atonement was to be applied to it, denoting that the intercession of Christ has all its virtue from his sufferings on earth, and that we need no other sacrifice or intercessor but Christ alone.

A fragrant incense powerfully permeates a space without a word being spoken.  It is breathed in through the nostrils, and in the breathing one is refreshed by the aroma and by the worship of the God who cares more about His people than they could ever imagine.  Every day those of us who follow Jesus breathe in the fragrant aroma of Christ (See Ephesians 5:2, NASB).  He gave Himself up as an offering and a sacrifice to God, and everyday the incense creates an aroma in our lives that reminds us who we are and whose we are.

In Lent we breathe deeply at the altar of Incense.  We let the aroma fill us with the wonder and mystery of God.  In ancient Israel the altar was portable, meant to be moved from time to time.  Today, the fragrant aroma of Jesus is everywhere. North, East, West, and South; Sunday through Saturday; in the valley, on the mountain, in the victory and in the failure; in the up and down, the good and the bad.  Wherever you are, whoever you are, breathe in deeply and receive the fragrant aroma of Christ.

Today’s Prayer

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring the presence of the risen Lord to renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your Word to come alive in me; Give me faith for what I cannot see; Give me passion for Your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. (From “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God,” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend © 2006)