What does presenting offerings to the priest symbolize in our spiritual lives? A Snapshot of Leviticus 2:8 “Bring the grain offering made of these things to the LORD; present it to the priest, who shall carry it to the altar.” What the Act Looked Like on the Ground The worshiper walked up with a handful of carefully prepared flour, oil, and incense. Before anything touched the fire, it first touched priestly hands. That brief transfer symbolized more than a polite hand-off. Layers of Meaning for Our Spiritual Lives Today • Recognition of God’s Ownership – Everything in that basket had come from God’s harvest (James 1:17). – Passing it to the priest confessed, “I’m only a steward; You, Lord, own it all.” • Submission to God-Appointed Mediation – Israel could not bypass the priest (Exodus 28:1). – Likewise, we draw near through the One whom God has appointed: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). • Confidence in Acceptance – Once the priest lifted the offering, it was as good as accepted (Leviticus 6:7). – Today, Christ “always lives to intercede for us” (Hebrews 7:25), giving us boldness (Hebrews 4:16). • Shared Fellowship – A portion returned to the priest’s table (Leviticus 2:10), picturing communion between God, priest, and worshiper. – Believers now share a table of grace: “We have an altar…” (Hebrews 13:10). Pointing Straight to Jesus—Our Greater Priest • He fulfills every symbol: perfect flour (sinless humanity), fragrant incense (His pleasing obedience), and oil (Spirit-anointed life). • He carries our “grain offerings” — acts of praise, service, and generosity — straight to the heavenly altar (Hebrews 9:24). • Because He is both Priest and Sacrifice, nothing we hand Him is ever wasted (Philippians 4:18). Living the Symbol Today • Present your body “a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). • Bring the “firstfruits” of your income, time, and talents (Proverbs 3:9). • Let every task be mixed with the “oil” of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). • Expect fellowship: God returns joy, peace, and deeper communion (John 14:23). • Serve others as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5), carrying their needs to the throne. A Life of Continual Offering Presenting our gifts to the Priest is more than an ancient ritual; it is a daily rhythm of surrender, trust, and fellowship. Each time we hand Jesus something precious—time, resources, praise—we rehearse Leviticus 2:8 all over again, confident He will carry it straight to the Father’s altar and kindle it into pleasing worship. |
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