Written By: Lynette Alchin
THE AROMA OF THE CROSS
Recently my thoughts have been very much on the Easter Season which we have just come through. Somehow, it has stayed with me and I have been musing much on the blessed event.
A few nights ago, I was listening to a teaching on the Crucifixion and I was transported into a spiritual dimension I have seldom, if ever, experienced in my years of walking with the Lord. It was glorious, awesome. I felt somewhat like the Apostle Paul (see 2 Cor.12:1-3).
I found myself at the foot of the Cross….but, I didn’t see a Man! All I saw was LOVE personified…such love, such wondrous love! I edged closer and as I continued looking, I didn’t see the cruel stripes and bleeding wounds. All I saw was COMPASSION pouring down. I didn’t see the bruises and torn flesh. All I saw was MERCY & GRACE. The hands, so cruelly pierced with Roman spikes….I didn’t see that. All I saw were hands that broke bread to feed the hungry, hands that healed the lepers, touched the blind, the deaf, the maimed; hands that blessed the little ones and that raised the widow of Nain’s son from his bier. Oh! Those beautiful hands.
I dared to walk a little closer, past the railing, taunting crowds. I didn’t notice the rocky path or the dust. I just saw the beautiful feet of SERVICE to mankind.
The closer I got, walking timidly, step by step, a strong sweet aroma of flowers and the perfume of holy anointing oil and sweet incense enveloped me. I never knew that LOVE had such a beautiful aroma. Did you? I never knew that COMPASSION, MERCY, GRACE & SERVICE could smell so sweet! It was as if I was walking through a beautiful garden with my favourite flowers around me….roses, lily-of-the-valley, the fragile and dainty sweet-pea among others.
I was enthralled. I couldn’t look away. I was enraptured by the presence of LOVE! O beloved: I can never see the crucifixion the same way again. I wish you could have been there with me. What love, what beauty. Now I understand more clearly the scripture…..
Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame…(Heb.12:2).
God’s richest blessings and His eternal presence be with you all.
Lynette Alchin