The sweet incense was put on the fire before the Lord (Leviticus 16:12,13) on the day of atonement. Thus the graces of Christ were brought out through the action of the holy fire. His exposure to the judgment of God's holiness (fire) upon the cross, when there made sin, did but bring out all that was most precious and fragrant to God. He was never more precious in God's eyes, His perfections were never more fully displayed, than when He proved His obedience to the uttermost in the very place of sin and death. Hence He could say, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17). It was for God's glory that Christ passed through the fire of judgment, and in doing so all the "sweet spices" of His moral graces and the perfection of His entire devotedness were brought out, and ascended up as a sweet savor to God.

—Edward Dennett