Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, October 27, 2017
Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-10-27-2017
This is devotional thought number 44 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Peace
“If his offering is a fellowship sacrifice, and he is presenting an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present one without blemish before the Lord.” (Leviticus 3:1, HCSB).
In today’s lesson, we encounter the third general type of offering from Old Testament times. I chose the HCSB rendering of the text so you could see the partial purpose of this offering. Here it is in the KJV of the Bible: “And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.” (Leviticus 3:1). The principle of a peace (or fellowship) offering should be of interest to you. Jesus said that those who are peacemakers are blessed and considered as children of God. Paul taught that we should, as much as it is within our power, be at peace with others. The prophet Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace.
The peace offering had no direct atonement application, although it obviously factors into the bigger picture. Once the sin offering was offered this offering was brought to celebrate peace and fellowship among God’s people. It was not given to create peace, but rather to celebrate peace that comes through submission to God, forgiveness of sin, and fellowship with fellow believers. Those who came with such an offering invited their closest family members, their workers/helpers, and Levites to eat together.
Really. Does it get any better than this? Having peace with God through the sacrifice and ministry of Christ, and then joining with others to celebrate your fellowship is an amazing experience, especially in contrast to worldly wars, political strife, and infighting among unsanctified professors of religion in the church. Jesus said that the world would recognize our bond with Him when we had a loving bond among all believers.
The peace offering is a foretaste of heaven, in my view. Jesus promised to bring dinner to those who open the doors of their lives to Him (Revelation 3:20). Jesus said He would only drink from the communion celebratory juice when He drinks it when His people arrive in His glorious kingdom (Mark 14:25). Jesus revealed His joy for repentant sinners when the father in the Prodigal Son story had his helpers prepare a meal fit for a prince when his son finally came home after sowing his wild oats (Luke 15:23).
Are you at peace with God? Are you a peacemaker? Offer yourself as a ambassador of peace and righteousness, in Jesus’ name, until He comes.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)
#theprotestisnotover #sanctuary