Why in the world is a pleasing aroma important to God?

“Present these to the Lord at the appointed times in addition to your regular burnt offerings, accompanied by their grain offerings and drink offerings. They will be a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” — Numbers 28:2

In the Old Testament, burnt offerings were described as a pleasing aroma to God. Now, before you start picturing the Lord as someone standing by a backyard grill enjoying the smell of sizzling steak, let’s get to the heart of this. The reason these sacrifices were a soothing aroma wasn’t because God loves barbecue—it was because they represented atonement.

But here’s the problem: those sacrifices had to be made over and over again. The smell of burnt lamb filled the air daily, reminding Israel that their sin was still a problem. That is, until Jesus stepped in.

Jesus: The Final Offering

Jesus didn’t come to offer another sacrifice. He was the sacrifice. When He gave Himself on the cross, He became the ultimate soothing aroma—the one that finally and forever satisfied God’s justice.

Paul connects this in Ephesians 5:2:

“Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Think about that. Every burnt offering in the Old Testament was a preview of the ultimate offering. The smell of sacrifices used to say, “Sin is still in the way.” The cross of Jesus now says, “It is finished.”

Application: Smell Like Jesus

Now, here’s where this gets personal. If Jesus is the ultimate soothing aroma, then we should smell like Him. Not physically—but spiritually.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ.”

In other words: If you’re a follower of Jesus, your life should smell like grace, truth, and love.

- When you forgive instead of holding a grudge, you smell like Jesus.

- When you serve others instead of demanding your way, you smell like Jesus.

-When you speak truth with love, not just adding to the noise of the world, you smell like Jesus.

Final Thought

Here’s the reality: Everybody has a smell. Some people reek of bitterness. Some smell like pride. Some give off an odor of apathy. But those who walk closely with Jesus carry an unmistakable fragrance.

So today, ask yourself: What’s my aroma? When people encounter me, do they sense the love, truth, and grace of Christ?

Let’s live in such a way that, when we walk into a room, people don’t just say, “That’s a good person.” Let’s live so that, when we walk in, the presence of Jesus lingers long after we leave.