October 31st

Leviticus 7:11-8:36, Mark 11:1-25, Psalm 28:1-9

Yet more offerings and more worship today and then some more stuff that we have seen in Matthew.

We looked yesterday at the importance of all these regulations to make sure that worship happens right. The fellowship offering which we see today is an important part of that worship, it is not about the fellowship of the people it is about celebrating our fellowship with God. There are (it feels) a million and one other sacrifices to put things right with God when our relationship is not that good but this one celebrates that fact that it is all good. It is also called a peace offering and it is offered to acknowledge that a peaceful and joyful relationship exists. I occasionally buy Claire flowers, not because I have done anything wrong but just because I love her. The flowers are a token of that love and that is what the fellowship offering is for.

Jesus offers us a new way of celebrating our relationship with God and that is prayer. We are in fellowship with God and one way of keeping that up is to talk with Him. To offer time in prayer instead of having to offer an animal. The Psalmist knew that he had a relationship with God and was praying like mad when he was in the midst of his turmoil.

The fact tat the Israelites had endless kinds of sacrifice shows us that we can come before God with any kinds of prayer. The fellowship offering was a celebration of good times, the psalmist was praying for his own needs, a few days ago Jesus told the disciples they needed to pray for others (Mark 9:29), the sin offering is saying sorry to God and we could go on. When we come before God we do not need a set form of prayers, we can just say what is on our hearts whether that is sorry, thanks, please or just “hi!”

As you come before God today, enjoy your relationship with Him. Set time aside and say what is on your heart.