Spurgeon Morning and Evening March 28 PM

Biblical Context

The Book of Ezekiel comes to us from the prophet Ezekiel, who served God during a really tough time for his people. He was one of the many Jews taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC. Far from their homeland and their temple, the people needed a strong message from God. Ezekiel, a priest himself, began his prophetic work around 593 BC. His book is full of visions, symbolic actions, and direct messages from God, all meant to shake the people up and also offer them hope.

A big part of Ezekiel’s job was to tell the exiles why they were in Babylon – it was because of their unfaithfulness and idol worship. But he also had a lot to say about God’s plan to bring them back, cleanse them, and make a new covenant with them. The idea of a ‘sweet savour’ or pleasing aroma in the context of Ezekiel often relates to sacrifices. In the Old Testament, a sacrifice that smelled good to God meant it was accepted, showing reconciliation and favor. So, when God says He’ll accept His people with a ‘sweet savour,’ it’s a promise of restoration and renewed favor, a return to being truly wanted by Him.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word savour from Ezekiel 20:41. In the original Hebrew, this word is “נִיחֹחַ” (nîḥōaḥ). It comes from a root that means “to rest” or “to settle.” So, when something is a “nîḥōaḥ” or a “sweet savour,” it’s more than just a pleasant smell. It’s an aroma that brings rest and satisfaction to the one who smells it. It tells you that the offering is accepted, and peace has been made. Think of it as a scent that says, “It’s all good, I’m pleased.” When God talks about a “sweet savour,” He’s telling us He’s satisfied and happy with what’s presented to Him.

Jesus, Our Sweet Scent to God

God tells us, “I will accept you with your sweet savour.” This isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a deep truth about how God sees you. Our great Redeemer, Jesus, is that sweet savour to God. His goodness and worth are like a beautiful smell to the Most High. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about Jesus’ active life, where He always did what was right, or His quiet suffering; both carry the same sweet fragrance to God.

Jesus’ active life was a sweet smell because He honored God’s law perfectly. He made every rule God set out shine brightly, like a very special jewel set just right in who He was. He lived a life that never missed a step, always in line with God’s perfect will. His choices, His words, His every action – they all pointed back to a deep love for God and His ways. That kind of perfect living? It’s exactly what God loves to see and smell.

Then there’s His quiet suffering, His passive obedience. This was also like a sweet smell to God. Think about it: He went through hunger and thirst without complaining. He faced cold and had no proper clothes, staying submitted. He even sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane, showing how much He was willing to give. He let them hit His back. He let them pull the hair from His cheeks. He let them fasten Him to the cruel wood of the cross. Why? So He could take God’s anger for us. All of this, every bit of His suffering, was His obedient giving of Himself, and it was a pleasing aroma to God.

Accepted Because of Jesus

These two things – Jesus’ perfect life and His complete suffering – are truly sweet to God. Because of what He *did* and what He *died*, because of His suffering in our place and His obedience on our behalf, the Lord our God accepts us. It’s not about what you do; it’s about what He did. It’s about His worth, not ours.

Just think about the amazing goodness in Jesus. It has to be so big, so powerful, to get past our own lack of goodness! What an incredible sweet smell He brings, powerful enough to take away our bad smell! There’s such a washing power in His blood to remove sins like yours and mine! And what an honor, what a beauty, is in His right living to make us, who were so unwelcomed, to be welcomed in the One God loves, Jesus Himself!

See, you who believe, how firm and never-changing your acceptance must be. It’s all in Him! It’s not in your feelings, your good days, or your bad days. It’s tied to Christ, and He doesn’t change.

Don’t Ever Doubt Your Place

Make sure you don’t ever question that Jesus has made you wanted. You can’t be taken in without Christ. But once you’ve got His goodness, you can’t be pushed away. It’s a finished deal. It’s a done thing. His work on the cross sealed your acceptance forever. You don’t have to keep working for something you already have.

Even with all your questions, and worries, and wrongdoings, God’s kind eye never looks at you with anger. Yes, He sees the bad stuff in you, in your own self. But when He looks at you *through* Christ, He doesn’t see sin. He sees Jesus. He sees His Son’s perfect life and perfect sacrifice covering you completely. You are always wanted in Christ. You are always blessed and loved by the Father. You’re His dear one, always.

So, lift up a song! As you see the beautiful smell of Jesus’ worth rising up to God’s high throne tonight, let your praise rise up like incense, too. Let your thanks and joy fill the air, because you are accepted, loved, and never alone. You are truly God’s sweet savour, through Jesus Christ.