There is a curious
consistency—almost—in the Old Testament concerning offerings made to God.
Anything made of grain which was to be presented to the Lord was to be
unleavened—for as our Lord used it, leaven (yeast) is symbolic of
sinfulness. Nothing made of grain was to have leaven it—absolutely
nothing.
Except the fellowship
offerings. Called a “peace offering” in the King James (and NASB), this
offering is one which is not brought in obligation to the Lord, or as atonement
for sin, or any other required thing. It is the offering of one who
simply needs to express the peace God has planted in his life. When God
is doubly good to you, then a peace offering is the fitting gesture of the
thankful heart, living in God’s own peace. That offering had to be
leavened.
Fellowship—the word is also
translated Communion—on our part means that we bring a fellowship offering
which is inherently sinful, for we are sinners. Nothing perfect can we
do. But our Lord knows that. So He blesses the fellowship offering,
for if He is to have fellowship with us, He knows that it will be with
sinners. Yet He knows we do not want to come to Him empty handed.
So He gives us the fellowship offering.
What might a Christian bring
today, and why?
· Sometimes
it is sheer joy. When a child (or a grandchild) is born it is fitting to
tell your Lord just how much joy is in your heart. Bring a gift for the
church; let it be the symbol of your commitment to raise that child in the
faith.
· Sometimes
it is a noteworthy occasion, such as a special anniversary. When God
blesses you with a wife who carries within her the beauty that only the saints
of God can carry, it is fitting to tell the Lord that you are grateful.
· Sometimes
it is at the end of a trial, such as a severe illness. When He has been
your Rock, your Guide and Friend, it is fitting to acknowledge Him as best you
can.
Nothing that we could bring in
the way of a gift, an offering, could be as perfect as He is. But He
knows that, and accepts from us the imperfect, for in Love’s eyes God sees
little Christs, not big sinners.
Communion is a chance to present
to your Lord such a fellowship offering. We celebrate the sacrifice Jesus
made, a sacrifice of all that He had—His life. By this He is Lord and
Savior. What better time to bring to Him the greatest sacrifice you can
make: your life, dedicated to Him. You might think that He would
accept no such thing, for we are sinners. Instead, he who would save his
life will lose it, and he who loses his life (for Christ) will save it.
Bring it as your fellowship—your Communion—offering. He is gracious and
kind; He knows what it is to give all. Even if all we have is sinful, He
knows what it costs us.