Right Responses
11 “ ‘These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the LORD:
12 “ ‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. 13 Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast. 14 They are to bring one of each kind as an offering, a contribution to the LORD; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar.
Leviticus 7:11-14
Have you ever just wanted to do something for someone you loved? Maybe it was one of your kids who you just wanted to show love to? Or a parent? Or a friend. That’s a right thing yeah? An appropriate and good thing?
Leviticus shows us that not all offerings were about atonement. These offerings were necessary. Without atonement offerings, Israel would be unable to enjoy God’s holy presence (because they wouldn’t be holy).
However, something feels like it’s missing if that’s the limit of our response to God. That’s a bit like a child who only ever hugs their mum or dad when they are told to. Surely love should go beyond the barest obedience to commands?
So it is with us and God. We owe God everything. Every breath you take is by God’s grace. Everything you will ever enjoy is by God’s grace. Your salvation and eternal joy is secured by God’s grace and in Christ you enjoy every spiritual blessing now and every physical one later by God’s grace.
When you think about that? Don’t you want to respond somehow? Well, that’s the nature of these other offerings. They were Israel’s way of responding with thanksgiving.
Today, we don’t sacrifice grain, meat or anything like that. But we can give generously of anything we call ‘ours’ in response to God’s grace. And I rekon you even get joy when you do. Because nothing could be more right or good.
Today:
Pray:
12 “ ‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. 13 Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast. 14 They are to bring one of each kind as an offering, a contribution to the LORD; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar.
Leviticus 7:11-14
Have you ever just wanted to do something for someone you loved? Maybe it was one of your kids who you just wanted to show love to? Or a parent? Or a friend. That’s a right thing yeah? An appropriate and good thing?
Leviticus shows us that not all offerings were about atonement. These offerings were necessary. Without atonement offerings, Israel would be unable to enjoy God’s holy presence (because they wouldn’t be holy).
However, something feels like it’s missing if that’s the limit of our response to God. That’s a bit like a child who only ever hugs their mum or dad when they are told to. Surely love should go beyond the barest obedience to commands?
So it is with us and God. We owe God everything. Every breath you take is by God’s grace. Everything you will ever enjoy is by God’s grace. Your salvation and eternal joy is secured by God’s grace and in Christ you enjoy every spiritual blessing now and every physical one later by God’s grace.
When you think about that? Don’t you want to respond somehow? Well, that’s the nature of these other offerings. They were Israel’s way of responding with thanksgiving.
Today, we don’t sacrifice grain, meat or anything like that. But we can give generously of anything we call ‘ours’ in response to God’s grace. And I rekon you even get joy when you do. Because nothing could be more right or good.
Today:
- When is one time where you have just freely done something good for someone else?
- Reflect on what grace you have received from God.
- What is one thing you could do in response to God’s grace today?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for His many graces to us.
- Give thanks for Jesus who gives us every blessing in life.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others be moved by God’s grace and respond with thanksgiving and sacrifice.
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