When we reach the end of the life of Christ and see the climax when one disciple sold Him for thirty pieces of silver, another cursed and swore he knew Him not, all forsook Him and fled, and the world nailed Him to a cross between two thieves, God showed to the universe how much He differed from all the thoughts of men by placing the crucified One on the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

The primary application of the incense is to Christ. Yet we may also observe that it has a secondary application to the believer, which he should seek to understand. True Christianity is the outflow of the life of Christ in the believer’s practical ways, and this is most precious to God, though it may be lost upon an unbelieving world and even upon a professing Church. There is not a movement of the life of Christ in the believer, not an expression of what He is, not the smallest manifestation of His grace that does not ascend directly as sweet incense to the throne of God. It may not attract the notice or elicit the applause of this world. It may not get a place in the records of men, but it goes up to God. This is enough for the faithful heart. God values all that is of Christ, nothing more, nothing else. There may be much that looks like service, much show, much noise, much that men make a great ado about, but nothing goes up to the throne, nothing is entered into the imperishable records of eternity but that which is the fruit of the life of Christ in the soul.

May God the Holy Spirit lead us into the practical understanding of these things and bring forth in us, day by day, a brighter and fuller manifestation of Christ to the glory of God the Father!