God bless you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ
During Roman antiquity, to honor a returning general into Rome after he had conquered a foreign enemy, a triumphal procession ceremony would take place. The Roman Senate would grant a triumphal procession only if certain criteria were met.
The conquering general would have to:
- Have slain at least 5,000 of the enemy
- His victory must be over a foreign enemy
- His victory had to be decisive and complete
- His captured cities were to be added to the Roman Territory
- His battle had to end the war
- Only those that commanded on the day of battle could qualify
- The general (Triumphator) would have to remain outside Rome until receiving Senate confirmation that he could make his entry into the city.
Upon entering through the Triumphal Gate (Porta Triumphalis), the general would be met by magistrates and Senators who would head the procession. Behind these magistrates and Senators would be wagons weighted down with captured spoils and floats outfitted with model-sized replicas of the captured cities. After the floats would be musicians; next the white cattle used in sacrifice. Following the cattle were the captured and chained enemy and behind the enemy would be the general, clothed in a special robe and carrying a laurel branch and a scepter. A wreath was put upon the general’s head and his face would be painted red. The general would be riding in his four horse drawn chariot, and escorted by his mounted officers. Lastly was his army which closed the procession. Placed along the processional, lining the way, would be burning incense that would permeate the air with a sweet smelling fragrance. To the conquering army, it was a sweet smelling savour, but to the captives being led in chains, it was the smell or savour of death.
Ephesians 5:2:
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
Just as the general and his army equated the fragrant air with triumph and victory, we too can look upon the offering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ as our sweet smelling savour of triumph and victory.
II Corinthians 2:14-16:
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.15 For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:16 To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Who is to come to, to reach to, or is worthy of such a sweet smelling triumphal procession? Christ and the believers, that’s who is worthy. Every time we open our mouths and declare the greatness of God’s word, we manifest the savor (sweet odor) of His knowledge by us in every place. Think how magnificent this is. When we live our lives according to the precepts of God’s word, it is like participating in a triumphal procession. Imagine the insult and sense of defeat we can inflict on our spiritual enemy when we walk in this light.
Philippians 4:18:
But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.
When we give in any capacity, when we sacrifice to help others and bless those in need, our sacrifice is well pleasing and a sweet smell to God. Each time we make the effort to give and serve and perform God’s word, we declare our victory. If Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was acceptable to God, then we as His brothers and sisters can claim the same. We enjoy God’s acceptance of how we serve and how we as individuals and a collective body defeat the adversary through our sacrifices. We produce a beautiful fragrance in the nostrils of God when we march victoriously, celebrating our defeat over our enemy.
In the book of Luke, there is an account of a just and devout man in Jerusalem who had the holy ghost upon him. The man’s name was Simeon and he went to the temple to see and bless the family of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus.
Luke 2:34:
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his (Jesus’) mother, behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.
To some, Jesus Christ would be the fall, the stumbling block, and the savor of death unto death. This category of people would be those who do not believe and are to perish. To others however, those that believe unto everlasting life, Jesus Christ is the savor of life unto life.
Each day we have the privilege of deciding whether or not we want to walk in that triumphal procession. Do we want to claim victory and march with the victors, or do we claim defeat and march handcuffed by the adversary? Do we smell that sweet savour each day and walk with great honor for being part of the victory? Let’s go out and defeat our enemy, living our lives in service for God and let us enjoy the sweet savor we produce as we walk through that Triumphal Gate.