3. The Peace or Fellowship Offering
Fellowship through Christ
In the peace offering, we see Jesus Christ as the Way. In the grain offering, we see this same Jesus as the Truth. And in the burnt offering, Jesus is pictured as the Life. In Leviticus 3, the peace offering is presented in three aspects.
As the ox, Christ is pictured as strong and patient; as the lamb He is meek and gentle and as the goat, despised and rejected. So these three aspects of the offering represent three aspects of Christ’s character. Notice the following—
1. It could be male or female, verse 1
In Christ, there is neither male nor female, we are all one in Him.
2. It must be without blemish before the Lord, verse 1
Standing before God in the merits of Christ, all believers are without blemish within or without.
3. There must be identification, verse 2
A peace-maker must be worthy of the trust of both parties. The atoning Blood of Christ, shed for all, justifies only those who by faith identify themselves with it, Romans 5:1
4. There must be death, verse 2
If we are saved by His life, it is His life from the dead. The life of Christ before the Cross could save nobody; it was evidence of His fitness to be the sinner’s substitute before God. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.
5. The blood must be sprinkled on the altar, verse 2
The altar signifies the just claims of God. To Him atonement must be made. The propitiation or covering from sin made by the death and resurrection of Christ is wide enough for all. The blood on the altar speaks of God’s acceptance of the offering.
6. The offering was made by fire, verse 3
The fire of God’s judgment has to fall upon all so peace can come to the sinful soul. He suffered for us, the Just for unjust, that He might bring us closer to God. In verses 3 to 5 we see that all the choice parts of the offering were laid upon the altar. The love and energy of Christ were all directed to God’s glory.
7. It was a sweet savor to the Lord, verse 5
This does not mean a cold, bare satisfaction, as if only a debt had been paid, but a sweet delight, as one receiving a great gift. God the Father will be glorified through all eternity because of His Son’s obedience unto death, Isa. 42:1
8. The offerer had a portion of the offering, 7:34
The breast and shoulder were taken by the Lord and given back to the offerer. This is most significant because the breast speaks of affection, the shoulder of strength; both are given to us through Jesus Christ. Love and power come to us by His Cross.
9. It could be eaten on the same day it was offered, 19:5, 6
Peace and soul satisfaction come at once when Christ the peace offering is truly trusted. Instant faith results in instant salvation.
10. It was to be eaten until the third day, 19:6
The third day points to the resurrection. We feed on the love and rest in the strength of our glorified Redeemer until resurrection morning. The breast and the shoulder will keep us till the day dawns and the shadows flee away, when we shall see Him as He is, and forever be like Him.
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