“If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to the LORD, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects.”

Leviticus 3:1 (NLT)

Today we look at the third of the voluntary offerings. The peace offering celebrated the peace or fellowship that the worshiper had with God. It was like enjoying a barbecue with God!

One of the most difficult and painful experiences in life is sin that leads to conflict and brings separation. Whether it is a wayward child, a contrary coworker, or an opposing political party, conflict and separation are inevitable and sometimes traumatic realities of life. The same is true in man’s relationship with God. Ever since the Garden of Eden, sin has brought separation.

The prophet Isaiah wrote:

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

Isaiah 59:1–2 (NIV)

At one time, all of us were separated from God by our sins. In fact the Bible tells us that we were spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5). But while we were alienated from God, He sent His only Son to die on the cross, so that by believing in Him we could be forgiven. And having been justified by our faith, we now have peace with God (Romans 5:1). There is no more conflict. We have fellowship with God and can celebrate this blessed union.

The peace offering of the Old Covenant foreshadowed the peace or fellowship we would have through Jesus Christ. They ate a meal of celebration. We eat the Lord’s Supper in gratitude for what Christ has done to reconcile us to God. There is nothing better than knowing that our sins have been forgiven, and we have perfect peace with God!

Next time we receive communion, let’s give the Lord thanks for becoming our peace offering and bringing us into undeserved and unbroken fellowship with God. And today let’s give thanks to God that we have been reconciled to Him through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Listen to the complete podcast

Subscribe to receive a daily devo in your inbox:

Photo by Emerson Vieira on Unsplash