What does the word fellowship mean to you? I never used this word until I became a Christian and started hearing it everywhere I went. Some of the churches call their Social Hall the Fellowship Hall. Having good fellowship with someone is having a friendly association with another person, especially those who share common interests. It’s more than just eating and breaking bread with one another.
In the Old Testament, there were two more offerings as we read, the Fellowship or Peace Offering, and the Sin Offering. As we know, the word peace is from the Hebrew word Shalom which means more than peace, it means wholeness. This offering was peace between God and man, as well as the inner peace that results from that relationship.
The Sin Offering required the anointed “Priest to bring to the Lord a young bull without defect as a sin offering for sin committed.” (Leviticus 4: 3) This offering was a mandatory atonement for a specific unintentional sin; confession of sin, forgiveness of sin; and cleansing from defilement. A lot of animals were sacrificed in all of the “Offerings.”
As I learn about these sacrifices of the Old Testament Law, I am so very thankful for the one and only atoning sacrifice that “Jesus Christ made for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the whole world.” (1 John 2: 2) Jesus wants the whole world to be made whole.
Jesus brings a newness that cannot be confined with the old forms. This is why we say, “Out with the old, in with the new.” No one is without sin! “Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?” (Proverbs 20: 9) We are told, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1: 8)
Jesus, when He was upon the earth, is acting out the fellowship and peace offering. He is pouring out His love to the people, forgiving their sin, and showing mercy. He heals a paralytic saying, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9: 2) The teachers of the Law were not real happy about this. Jesus was demonstrating His authority as the Son of Man, the Son of God. They didn’t get it!
Jesus then approaches Matthew, a Tax Collector, and tells him to follow Him. He was telling Him, “Come have fellowship with me.” He acted out that fellowship by sitting down with Matthew’s Tax Collector friends. He loves dining with us.
- Following Jesus is having fellowship with Him.
- As Christ-followers, we are never above the one who needs Jesus, nor should we act like we are.
- Learn to be relational with those around you or with those you work with.
- Show them the kindness of Jesus and His unconditional love.
- We shouldn’t look down upon those who are not following Him.
- See them from eye level, and leave “the view from above” for God. He’s at a much higher level.
Look at the picture above, and notice how Jesus is eye level, looking at those He is sharing a meal with. I love how He offers Himself, He’s so very relational. He sits down with Matthew’s friends. He is the fellowship offering, offering peace!
No more animals have to be slaughtered for our sin. He was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29)
Forgiveness through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice is not limited to one particular group–it has worldwide application. This does not mean that all people will be saved, but that we receive salvation through faith by believing in Jesus. He came to restore our fellowship with God, through a relationship with Him.
(Leviticus 3-4, Proverbs 20, Matthew 9: 1-19, Paraphrased)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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