LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Christ, our Offering of Peace
"For I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the sons of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their due forever from the sons of Israel." (Lev. 7:34).
The different types of sacrifices –bloody and bloodless– 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 fellowship with the Father. They are, also, a figure of our fellowship with God.
In the sacrifices and peace offerings there was a portion reserved for the priests – today's believers. In the burnt offering, the offered animal was burned entirely, just as the Lord Jesus offered Himself up entirely to the Father. In this sacrifice, the priest had no part. However, in the peace offering, a portion was set apart for the sustenance of the priests.
In the same way, with the propitiation for our sins having already been made by means of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we can enjoy the peace offering - Christ Himself. "Because He is our peace... because by means of Him we all have access to the Father by the same Spirit" (Eph. 2:14, 18).
The portion given to the priests was the chest and shoulder blade of the sacrificed animal. The chest speaks to us of Christ's love, of His consolation in our tests and afflictions. The shoulder blade speaks to us of the strength of the Lord that sustains us in our weaknesses.
Through the blood poured out on the cross, we were cleansed from our sins and reconciled to the Father. Now, Christ is our portion, our peace offering. We can enjoy Him fully, and in Him, have fellowship with the Father. This perfect fellowship is only possible if we walk in the light (1 Jn. 1:7).
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us of all wickedness" (1 John 1:9). Sin moves us away from fellowship, it clouds our view of the presence of God. Although He goes on looking at us, our eyes are veiled from seeing Him. But if we confess, there is forgiveness. Confession implies judgement. Only then is communion with the Lord recovered.
"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, that is still present. How great is the Lord's mercy that in spite of this condition, He accepts our peace offering! "But the person that eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which belongs to Jehovah, in his uncleanness, that person will be cut off from among his people" (Lev. 7:20). The word of God warns us that, if there are sins that aren't confessed, there won't be fellowship.
If we walk in light, we can take the provision of God. The chest and the shoulder blade –Christ, our peace offering, His love and His strength– they are at our disposal, and our fellowship is truly with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.