Rev. Dr. Bary R. Fleet - Pastor
March 25, 2007 – 5th Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 43:16-21 
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8

The Scent of a Woman

A couple of years ago someone gave me a pack of “Testamints” for Christmas.  Each mint is individually wrapped with a familiar Bible quote.  Those of you with young children are familiar with “Veggie Tales”, videos with a Christian message.  Well, those are yesterday’s Christian lifestyle accessories. 

At the 2006 Christian retailers’ convention, there were some new ways for believers to show their faith.  Given our fall golf tournament, we might want to invest in a case or so of Topflight Christian golf balls.  What better conversation starter than to get up to the tee and put down a ball emblazoned with a portion of scripture.  Even better for those of us who use a half dozen or so balls a round – knowing that whoever finds our lost balls also finds a verse of scripture.  “Lose a ball, share the Gospel!”  Imagine picking up a ball that says “I once was lost, but now am found!”

Then there are products for kids, such as “Armor of God” PJ’s – to defend against The Enemy during sleep.  There are Christian knock-offs of the popular American Doll series, with versions clutching a Bible in their hands, and Scripture-laden stories about them.

Well, the latest product for Christian consumption is “Virtuous Woman”, a line of Christian perfume.  I actually wanted to get some, but wasn’t willing to pay $57 for 1.5 oz. just to have a sermon prop.  It comes packaged with a copy of Proverbs 31 … “A virtuous woman, who can find…”  The web site claims that it engages body, mind and spirit, and is designed to promote and express spirituality.

I can understand how the nose gets engaged, but I’m not clear about how a fragrance can engage one’s spirit.   How does a perfume express spirituality?  Does a soul stink at the end of the day like an armpit?  Can “Virtuous Woman” make this soul-stink less offensive?  What makes this perfume spiritual? 

The retailer claims that what makes this floral fragrance distinctly Christian is that it can be an evangelistic tool.  It is supposed to be evocative enough to provoke questions like “what’s that perfume you’re wearing?”  Then you take the opportunity to speak of your faith. 

But aren’t there already those kinds of options available? 

“Hi … you smell great!  What are you wearing?”

“It’s ‘Obsession’ by Calvin Kline – but my real obsession is Jesus!”

Or … “It’s Eternity’ (also by Calvin Kline) – Do you know where you’re going when you die?

Or … “It’s Romance’ by Ralph Lauren – because God so loved the world!”

The idea of a Christian fragrance actually is Biblical:  In his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

The passage from John this morning gives us a chance to think about the aroma of Christ … the aroma of a Christian.  I’m sure that after Martha anointed Jesus with a whole bottle of perfume, there was a distinctive aroma that lasted for a while.  (This reminds me of a quote:  “Your perfume is supposed to linger, not change global weather patterns.”)

But on a serious note – what about us?  What is the fragrance that is left behind after we’ve been present?  We talk about encounters that leave a bad taste in our mouths … we talk about how something smells like a rat … what about us?  What is the lingering effect of our presence … of our words?  Is there a fragrance of love that lingers long after we’ve gone – because of something we’ve said, or done?  Or do we leave a trail that sort of stinks?

Do those around us know there is something distinctively different because of the way we present ourselves, because of the way we interact?  Do we exude hopefulness – or disillusion?  Do we offer forgiveness – or are we vengeful?  Or is there nothing left … we pass through people’s lives and there isn’t any mark left at all … neither good, nor bad?

One of the interesting things about Jesus is that folks knew when he was coming, and they knew he had been there … there was a fragrance that attracted people … and left a distinct impression.

When was the last time we were criticized for being too loving … for lavishing forgiveness on someone who didn’t deserve it … When was the last time we were able to look at life and point out the ways in which God is at work?  When we look at life, is that what we see?  Is that what we look for?  Or do we have a reputation for seeing only the dirt and the hurt?  Are we attracted to the grime and the slime … or to the hope and promise and dignity?

We don’t need breath mints or golf balls or perfume to live lives that leaves behind the fragrance of Christ … a scent that the world is bound to notice!

NOTE:  Much of the credit for this sermon goes to Homiletics Vol. 19, #2.  Canton, OH:  Communication Resources, Inc.