A Thurible

You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it. And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you. And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:1-8 ESV). This year the season of Lent begins March 1st. While you may not observe the liturgical calendar, certainly you would not be reading this devotional without an interest in the culminating event of this season. Easter is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it we simply would not have the hope of eternal life.

As I began to think about that today, I ran across a word that I was not familiar with, “thurible.” Little did I know that growing up as a Roman Catholic I had seen these all my young life. They are the ornate canisters used to burn incense during various celebrations of worship in more liturgical and ecclesiastical churches. Now, before you begin to think this is of no value to you, please continue to the end. After all, God instructed the Israelites to build an “altar of incense” that was to burn before the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant regularly. The word “incense” is derived from the Latin incendere, which means “to burn”. It is commonly used as a noun to describe aromatic matter that releases fragrant smoke when ignited, to describe the smoke itself, and as a verb to describe the process of distributing the smoke. Incense was a highly valuable commodity in ancient times. Typically frankincense and myrrh were the preferred aromatics used. Burning incense was used to venerate, bless, and sanctify. Its smoke conveys a sense of mystery and awe. It is a reminder of the sweet-smelling presence of our Lord. Incensing may also be viewed in the context of a “burnt offering” given to God. In the Old Testament animal offerings were partially or wholly consumed by fire. In essence, to burn something was to give it to God. And, of course you recall that the Magi came bearing these gifts to the child Jesus symbolically acknowledging his position and being as God made man, Savior of the world. That’s the real key. When we realize that Jesus is our Savior, then we begin to understand how we are able to be living “thuribles.” It is a great opportunity provided to each of us to bless those around us. Jesus has already completed all that was necessary for our redemption. This fact allows us to be the sweet, savory aroma for the world around us. Determine to be that for those around you today!