Christ in all the scriptures The Peace offering

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Peace offering (part 2)  Leviticus 3 and 7v11-34

The third of five aspects of the one offering of Christ.  This makes it central to the work of Calvary.  The reason Christ came was to reconcile man to God, and this He did by His death on the cross.   It is what Paul called the "ministry of reconciliation", which is detailed in 2nd Corinthians 5v18-21.  Throughout the details of the ritual of the peace offering we have the thought of fellowship, harmony, reconciliation-God and man in blest relationship.  In the peace offering there was something for God, something for the priests, for the priestly family, and for the offeror and his family.  In the burnt offering, all the flesh was for God; in the grain offering, all the frankincense was for God; in the peace offering all the fat and the best of the animal was for God; in the sin offerings all the blood was for God.  There is ever an aspect of Christ in His offering that God alone can appreciate. The peace offering was the only sacrifice eaten in its entirety (except for the fat and the blood), and the only one of which all parties were partakers.-the offering priest, the whole priestly family, and the offeror.  God, Himself, feasted on the fat and the best of the animal.

It is important we understand the distinctives of each offering if we are to enjoy the features of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

First, the animal sacrificed in the Peace Offering could be from the herd or from the flock (but not a bird), whether male or female.  Since the whole of the animal was to be eaten, a turtledove or young pigeon would not be appropriate.  The male speaks of active strength, while the female suggests passive submission.  Both were true of Christ in His sacrifice.

Second, the offering was shared by God, by the priests, and by the offeror. All of the Burnt Offering was the Lord’s (except for the skin). Most of the Grain Offering was for the priests. But the Peace Offering was shared by all, each receiving their appointed portions. The beneficiaries of the sacrifice of Christ are many.  Indeed it was Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder of Dallas Theological Seminary, who listed over 30 benefits accomplished by the death of Christ in which all share.

Third, three of the occasions on which the Peace Offering was appropriate were for thanksgiving, for fulfilling a vow, and for a freewill offering (Leviticus 7).  All are appropriate reasons for seeking communion with God.

Fourth, the Peace Offering was unique in that there was a meal associated with this offering.

Fifth, the thanksgiving Peace Offering included unleavened bread (Lev. 7:13)

All in all, the Peace offering was a meal shared by all, including God, and represents communion, which is an important subject in the New Testament-1st Cor. 1v9;10v16-17; 2nd Cor 13v14; 1st John 1v3.  Those who sit down to a meal with each other share the minds and hearts as well as enjoying the creature benefits.  In the law of the peace offering in chapter 7v11-34, we find it comes last of the offerings, so we could say it is the centre and circumference of the cross work of Christ.  It has ever been the desire of God to commune with His people, as at Sinai in Exodus 24; as in the tabernacle with the table of shewbread; as in Psalm 23, the prepared table in the midst of enemies; as in the institution of the Lord's Supper; as in the marriage supper of the Lamb.  This is characterised as "the Lord's Table", which all in Christ can enjoy, where Christ is the object and the subject of our communion. The gospel of Luke abounds in features of the peace offering-reconciliation, communion, fellowship, harmony; all blessings that emanate from the work of Christ.  

Luke's Gospel was written to Gentiles, yet it begins and ends with temple scenes involving Jewish ritual.  Very much to the fore is the harmonisation of Jew and Gentile, former long time enemies.  In the introduction to Luke's gospel by Zondervan, there is an interesting observation, "Luke adjusted his account of Jesus' ministry to persons without a Jewish background showing the universal appeal of the gospel, and that the gospel was equally for the Gentiles as for the Jews".   This fact is summarised in chapter 24v47, "...and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem".  Luke gives a prominent place to women, against a culture where women were marginalised.  He records 13 named women, more than any other of the gospels; in this way he underlines the importance of women in the work of God, thus bridging any gulf between men and women.  In His Gospel he focuses on the poor and the downtrodden, and presents Christ as meeting every social need, and visiting every geographical location.  In that classic chapter(15) of "lost things", we learn that a lost sheep is restored to the fold; the lost silver is restored to the woman; and the lost son is restored to the father, all features of the reconciliation aspect of the peace offering.  These and many more examples of the peace introduced in conflict, the restoration made for loss, the harmony enjoyed by all, are illustrative of the peace offering.  Note the prominence of the word throughout the gospel:
1v79 "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow0f death, to guide our feet into the way of peace". 

2v14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men".

7v50 and 8v48 To women He healed, "Go in peace"-better "Go into peace", stating a permanent condition, a new life of peace.

10v5/6 "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say Peace be to this house...".

19v38 "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest".  

19v42 "If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes".

24v36 "And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you".