Smells Like Victory

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place. -- 2 Corinthians 2:14

This sounds great! First, we are led in a triumphal procession. We're in a victory parade, and Jesus is the Grand Marshall. So, that's pretty cool. But wait ... there's more! Second, we are the means by which Christ offers the wonderful "aroma" of knowing Him. That's pretty cool, too! We march in a victory parade, and our knowledge of Christ produces a great aroma for others.

But wait ... there's still more!

The imagery that Paul is painting here in 2 Corinthians 2 is that of the parade that celebrated a great military victory. The warrior who led the victory is the center of attention, and the parade is in his honor. The entire city knows his name and his deeds, and everyone turns out to shower him with praise. Jesus is clearly who Paul casts as this victorious warrior, with all the praise given to Him for His victory over sin and death, and over the enemy. So far, so good.

This passage says that Christ always leads us in triumphal procession. This is where we need to understand triumphal processions. Who was led in triumphal processions? Not fellow warriors. Not those who reported to the victorious general. In these ancient parades, the ones who were led in the parade by the victor were the vanquished captives. Those from the opposing army who were captured in battle were paraded around as part of the spoils of battle. They were, in essence, the POWs displayed as trophies to the honor of the general.

So we, in Jesus' victory parade, are vanquished captives, POWs. We were once on the other side of the battle, living for self, and therefore participating in the rebellion against God. But when someone comes to faith in Christ, he is "captured," becoming the spoils to the honor of the conquering warrior, in a victory parade to His praise.

We are not honoring Him because we are fellow warriors, but because we have surrendered to Him in battle. It is our complete surrender, not our heroic accomplishments, that bring the greatest honor to the conquering King. And knowing Him is the incense that always accompanied the victory parades.