Smells like money...

We drive "up north" quite a bit to see our relatives.
On our way up we always encounter a unique smell from outside that permeates the vehicle.
It's the smell of manure (cow, pig, turkey, chicken, whatever).
And we joke that it "smells like money" - because to a farmer - that's what it is.
A by-product of the animal raising process that is both useful and can be valuable.

Most of us will hold our nose and say "ewww, that's disgusting".
But manure is useful and valuable and a source of income for some.
"Smells like money", as they say.

There is something else to which we in the world say "ewww, that's disgusting".
Something that is immeasurably more valuable than anything else.
ANYTHING else.

I'm talking about Jesus and his journey to ensure our salvation.
His journey to the cross and crucifixion was so cruel and terrible that we don't even want to think about it.

Hymn writers and poets through the ages picture this so clearly... 
Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!

'Tis the Christ by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, 'tis He, 'tis He!

Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning,
Was there ever grief like His?

Friends through fear His cause disowning,
Foes insulting His distress;
Many hands were raised to wound Him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that Justice gave.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, your only crown.
O sacred head, what glory
and blessing you have known!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I claim you as my own.

Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head for sinners such as I? 

To the believer in Jesus - that smells like salvation.
To the world - it's just disgusting and foolish and pointless.

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Lord,
You made it possible for me to join you in heaven.
Possible only through your terrible, disgusting, degrading death on the cross.
Don't let me sugar-coat those facts.
They are the hard truth of how you won salvation for me.
Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.
Amen.
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