I am reading — s.l.o.w.l.y — through the book of Leviticus in my morning devotions. This is a book which details the various laws, offer-ings, sacrifices that were needed so that a holy God will be able to live with a sinful people. One of these offerings is referred to in the NIV as “fellowship offering.” In chapter 3, you can see that it involved the shedding of blood, which is necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
But there is another way of translating “fellowship offering.” The ESV translation is “peace offering,” which keeps the core idea of this offering in the focus. If we are to enjoy fellowship with God, first we need to be at peace with Him.
Our sins make us enemies of God; at war with Him. He is far removed from us due to our wickedness; though He is ever-present every-where and at the same time, and even does us good. Nevertheless, He is our enemy as long as we are in our sins. Many would like to see Him as a cosmic Benefactor, a Santa Clause type old chap with a permanent benevolent smile whose job is to make us happy. No wonder people shake their fists at Him when things go wrong. But this is not the God of the Bible: the Holy One to Whom we must give account for every idle word we speak, Who sees our secret thoughts and holds us accountable for them. He does good to all; which means ignoring Him further compounds our guilt. No; our them. He does good to all; which means ignoring Him further compounds our guilt. No; our default position is that we are not at peace with Him. We are, by nature, “alienated from God
and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.” (Colossians 1:21)
This is why Easter is important. On the events of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Ascension Day, Christ was lifted up, first on a Roman cross, and then from the grave, and on to Heaven, where He is now sat exalted on God’s right hand. Read Colossians 1:21 again, in context. He has become the fulfilment of the “sacrifice of peace.” He gave His blood, His life, to be punished on our behalf; rose again, that we might have eternal life; ascended to Heaven—and we will follow Him there. Through faith in Him, we can have peace with God. That is why He came. That is why we celebrate at this time of the year. If you do not yet have peace with God, why
not come to Christ this Easter? And for those reconciled to God: may the Lord God fill you with the joy that is reserved for those at peace, in fellowship with God.
Calix
April 2023
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