If you'd like to watch, click on Pastor Squatch Musings!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Ephesians 5:1–2, LSB

I can only imagine what it smelled like when sacrifices were being offered at the altar regularly, but if you like a good barbecue like I do, I am sure it smelled quite tasty. When Paul is speaking of us being a “living sacrifice” and “a fragrant aroma,” he is calling all the people to remember the times of offering sacrifices and the smells that would also be a sign of one’s forgiveness and renewal in life. The pleasant aroma of the cooking meat or the baking bread, the wood fire smoke, and the sounds of prayers being lifted to our Lord. As we give of ourselves in service to our Lord, each action and word is a reflection of the renewal given to us by our Lord and a gift we offer to others that they also may know His grace and mercy. Our lives are to smell of that sweet aroma remembered by the people of Ephesus as they see themselves living out their faith and redemption to all who are lost and draw them away from the sacrifices to their metal, wood, or stone gods who offer them nothing, but take everything. Being a leading light into the shining glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.