LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Christ, our Peace Offering
"For I have taken from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the children of Israel, the breast of the wave offering and the shoulder of the raised up offering, and I have given them to Aaron the priest and his sons, as a perpetual statute for the children of Israel" (Lev. 7:34).
The different types of sacrifices —bloody and without blood— that we find in the priesthood of the Old Covenant represent the perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ: His perfect divinity, His perfect humanity, His perfect love, His perfect communion with the Father. They are also a figure of our relationship with God.
In the sacrifices or peace offerings, there was a portion reserved for the priests – today's believers. In the burnt offering, the animal offered was burned completely, just as the Lord Jesus offered Himself completely to the Father. In this sacrifice, the priest had no part. However, in the peace offering, a portion was set aside for the sustenance of the priests.
In the same way, since the propitiation for our sins has already been made through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we can also enjoy the peace offering — Christ Himself. "For He is our peace... for through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father" (Eph. 2:14, 18).
The portion given to the priests was the breast and shoulder of the sacrificed animal. The breast speaks to us of Christ's love, of His comfort in our trials and afflictions. The shoulder speaks to us of the Lord's strength, which sustains us in our weaknesses.
Through the blood shed on the cross, we were cleansed of our sins and reconciled to the Father. Now, Christ is our portion, our peace offering. We can fully enjoy Him, and in Him, have fellowship with the Father. This perfect fellowship is only possible if we walk in the light (1 John 1:7).
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Sin separates us from fellowship and clouds our view of God's presence. Although He continues to look at us, our eyes are veiled from seeing Him. But if we confess, there is forgiveness. Confession implies judgement. Only then is fellowship with the Lord restored.
"With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread." (Lev. 7:13). The cakes of leavened bread represent our sinful nature, which is still present. How great is the mercy of the Lord, who, despite our condition, accepts our peace offering! "But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the Lord, when he is unclean, that person shall be cut off from his people" (Lev. 7:20). The word of God warns us that if there are unconfessed sins, there will be no fellowship.
If we walk in the light, we can partake of God's provision. The breast and the shoulder —Christ, our peace offering, His love and His strength— are available to us, and our fellowship is truly with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.