How does Leviticus 7:13 connect to New Testament teachings on thanksgiving? Leviticus 7:13 – The Verse Itself “Along with his peace offering of thanksgiving he is to present an offering of cakes of leavened bread.” What Makes This Verse Unique • Leavened bread appears—almost never allowed on the altar, yet welcomed at the table of fellowship. • It accompanies a “peace offering of thanksgiving,” a sacrifice shared by priest, offerer, and the Lord—a communal meal of gratitude. • Nothing is burned here; it is eaten. The emphasis is relationship, joy, and thankfulness, not atonement. Threads That Run into the New Testament 1. Common, Leavened Bread Becomes Sacred • At the Last Supper Jesus “took bread, gave thanks, and broke it” (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24). • The Greek word for “gave thanks” is eucharisteō—root of “Eucharist.” The ordinary loaf becomes the centerpiece of covenant fellowship, echoing Leviticus 7:13. 2. Fellowship Around a Completed Sacrifice • The peace offering followed earlier sacrifices; fellowship rested on shed blood. • In the New Testament, Christ is our once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:12-14). Because His work is finished, believers gather to “proclaim the Lord’s death” with thankful hearts (1 Corinthians 11:26). 3. Thanksgiving as a Continual Sacrifice • Hebrews 13:15: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” • Leviticus 7 shows a literal meal; Hebrews calls for unending verbal praise—same heart posture, new covenant form. 4. Overflow Toward Others • The Levitical worshiper shared food with priests and family; gratitude spilled outward. • 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 links generosity with “many expressions of thanksgiving to God.” Our giving multiplies praise just as shared bread did in Leviticus. 5. Everyday Thankfulness Commanded • Colossians 3:15-17 urges believers three times to be thankful; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls it God’s will. • Leviticus 7:13 grounded gratitude in a tangible act; the Spirit now writes that readiness to thank on our hearts. Putting It Together • Leviticus 7:13 introduces leavened bread—daily, ordinary food—into a sacred thanksgiving meal. • Jesus elevates everyday bread in the Lord’s Supper, giving thanks and inviting His people into perpetual fellowship. • The New Testament widens the table: continual praise, generous giving, and thankful living are our “peace-offering” responses to Christ’s finished work. Living the Connection Today – Celebrate the Lord’s Table with conscious gratitude, remembering its roots in the ancient thanksgiving offering. – Let praise become a daily “sacrifice,” spoken and sung (Hebrews 13:15). – Allow generosity to turn material blessings into multiplied thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:11-12). – Carry thanksgiving into every circumstance (1 Thes 5:18), just as Israel’s worshiper carried leavened loaves to the tabernacle—ordinary things made holy by grateful hearts. |
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