The fellowship offering, also known as the ‘peace offering,’ was to be used to celebrate a specific act of God in the life of the worshipper. It was the only offering that both the priests and the worshipper shared along with the worshipper’s family. In other words, the fellowship offering was to become a celebratory meal that signified the fellowship we enjoy with God (Leviticus 7:31–35). So if God answered a prayer of yours, you would choose an animal from your flock or herd and, after presenting it at the temple with all the prescribed rites (that signified how we have fellowship with God), it would become the meal of a big celebration (Deuteronomy 26:12, 13). This, for example, is what the “fatted calf” of Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son would have been: a fellowship offering used to celebrate the return of the lost son. The picture of a family celebrating around a meal table is the very picture that Jesus drew on in instituting the “Lord’s Supper” or “Eucharist”. In this case, Jesus himself becomes the sacrifice and our fellowship with God and with each other is made possible by, and therefore centred around, his sacrifice. God is calling us to join his family; to gather around his table and to partake of his sacrifice. You don’t need to give anything to have fellowship with God. The sacrifice has been made by Jesus. All you need to do is come to his table and join the celebration.
Say what you would say to Jesus if he was physically sitting opposite you at a table.
Read Leviticus 3
