Running Towards the Lost with the Fragrance of Christ
The following guest post originally published as Day 30 from the MissioNexus Focus 2020 40-Day Devotional. You can access the full devotional ebook here.
He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stopped. Numbers 16:48
In a spectacular display of holy fear and worship, Moses and Aaron have thrown themselves on the ground at the command of God---His divine mercy covering them—because in a matter of minutes, the Israelites are going to be destroyed by God himself. His judgement once again on display. As His holy anger begins pouring out upon the people, a swift act of bold and unstoppable love intervenes. Moses, with every ounce of passion, wisdom, and urgency left in his tired bones, tells Aaron to make atonement for the people by running into the plague-stricken crowd with a burning censor.
The smell of death collides with the fragrance of life.
Can you see it? Can you imagine Aaron urgently running into the crowd, holding up the smoking censor, pleading with the Lord to save His people? The bible says, “And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.” Let that take your breath away. The burning incense, a fragrant offering, rises to the Holy God. He answers. God’s anger is appeased and the plague is stopped.
But not before nearly 15,000 people died in this plague. The incense didn’t reach them in time.
This is a sobering picture of sin among God’s people. This is a dramatic example of intercession and the mercy of God. Ultimately though, this is a powerful picture that points to Christ standing in the gap between sinful people and a Holy God. Romans 5: 8 reads, “…but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In His death, Jesus became a “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
Today, there are an estimated 2.5 billion people around the world who will experience the plague of eternal death if they don’t hear about the one who stood in the gap for them. Billons of people will die in their sin, on the road to hell, if the message of Jesus, and his atoning sacrifice on the cross, does not reach them in time.
Who will run to them? Who will plead for them?
Consider this…as Christians, you and I are called to “spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Quote: For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing... (2 Cor. 2:15)
Question: What does this look like for you? Who are the people around you and around the world that are under this plague? Will you, like Aaron, run urgently and passionately to those who need to hear of Jesus’s sacrificial love—before it’s too late?
Michelle Atwell
US Director, SEND International