In the concluding part of our series on I Kings 6:29 and the Divinely-inspired order in it, today we come to “open flowers”…
III) Aroma
“He decorated all the walls of the inner sanctuary and the main room with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers” (I Kings 6:29)
Finally what would be the outcome of carrying out God-allocated assignments with a heart full of adoration for Him…emanation of “sweet aroma” as symbolized by the “open flower“ which would bless God and all His people! When a Christian leader leads an exemplary life, through his life and lip, he would silently be inspiring many to toe his line of godliness, bringing glory to his Saviour, all the while.
Mind you, this aroma may sometimes last even after the life and ministry of a Christian has come to an end…in other words, it would continue to “encourage many of the Kingdom,” long after his physical departure from this World.
Here I want to share the “effect of aroma” of Hudson Taylor’s pioneering Evangelistic Ministry in China, even after his ministry had ended therein. Long after he had died, in order to tarnish his image, the ruling Chinese communist government appointed a special officer. This special officer’s mission? To tour all the places where Hudson Taylor had “ploughed the lonely furrow,” and examine all the related records available of his ministry with a magnifying glass as it were to detect “irregularities” therein. He was then to publish a report to the Government, which in turn would duly publish the same in the National Newspaper. So off went this Special Officer on this “classified assignment” to detect irregularities in the way this pioneer missionary to China went about his ministry. So what did this special officer find? Place after place…in only increasing measure the evidence of Hudson Taylor’s sacrificial commitment to Christ borne out of his great love for his Redeemer! The result of it all? This Special Government-deputed Officer was so moved and touched by Hudson Taylor’s ministry that he surrendered his life to Christ. Talk of Prophet Elisha’s dead bones bringing a deceased man to life…(2 Kings 13:20-21)
Ah, speaking of aroma, doesn’t the account of the adoring Mary coming up with an adorable act of anointing the Lord with a very costly ointment come to mind? Yes it does. While on the subject of scents, let me tell you the scent market is a very competitive one. So it is not all a surprise to see one fragrance manufacturer after the other frequently blowing his own trumpet about his brand. Some years back, I vividly recall one advertisement of a scent manufacturer claiming that the fragrance of his brand would last for three full days. You guessed it…his competitor would come up with one more ad, claiming that fragrance of his brand would last for four or five days.
Now what about Mary’s “ministry” of anointing the Lord with a heart overflowing with love for Her Saviour? What about the fragrance of that costly spikenard, she used, primarily moved by unbridled devotion for the Master, in anointing Him. Well, the sweet fragrance is still emanating from that bottle of spikenard even after 2000 years. Did not the Word (another name for Jesus) say: “And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (Mark 14:9). You can take the Word at His Word, for the Word always keeps His Word.
In conclusion, let’s consider what the Word of God says about the Ministry done with an adoring heart…
“So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection.” (I Cor 15:58 TLB)
Prayer: Father, we completely belong to you-body, soul and spirit-use us for Your Glory and the edification of the Body of believers. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
J and SM Ministries