The third offering is the fellowship offering. Once again, like the burnt offering and grain offering, this was a voluntary sacrifice. Unlike the grain offering, this was an animal sacrifice, and unlike the burnt offering, the entire animal was not consumed in flames. The part of the animal that was burned produced an aroma pleasing to God. The fellowship offering was given to express gratitude for a person’s relationship with God. Implicit in this offering is the awareness of a person’s sins being atoned for.

Once again, it is not difficult for us to connect this offering to Christ. Jesus was the willing sacrifice who provided forgiveness for our sin to remove the barrier between God and those who trust in Him. Because we have been given Christ’s righteousness, we are not spiritually neutral before God; He has restored the relationship between holy God and forgiven humanity. As believers, each of our days should be marked by deep gratitude and joy for the relationship with God we have been given in Christ.

• What can you do today to live out and enjoy the relationship with God that Christ has provided?