The grain offering and Jesus Christ (Leviticus 2)

Yesterday we thought about various aspects of the grain offering as they describe Jesus and his work, including how the offering could be cooked.

The instructions for the cooked offering do not mention the inclusion of frankincense, although perhaps its addition was assumed because it is included in the grain offering that was presented at the Feast of Weeks, but they do stress the necessity of oil, which can remind us of the ways the Spirit upheld the Saviour when he was in the oven of the Father’s wrath. When we draw near to God in worship, we do so conscious that Jesus was in that oven because of our sins and also to ensure that we would not be in it because he paid the penalty for them. And he needed the help of the Spirit as Hebrews 9:14 tells us.

How does the mention of leaven, honey and salt refer to the person and work of Christ? In a previous reading, we suggested that leaven and honey were omitted because they were used in some pagan sacrifices. And the Saviour did not endorse in the slightest way the false worship that he saw, even when it occurred in the Jewish temple. It could never be said of him that he compromised in the least as far as God’s worship was concerned. No amount of external pressure could cause him to adjust his loyalty to God.

Salt, as is said in the description of the grain offering, depicted a covenant relationship. The reason why the Son of God came into the world was because of the commitment he had given in the covenant of redemption, when he agreed to become the Saviour of his people. His ministry was governed by that covenant’s requirements, including his death.

Further, his teaching can be summarised as instruction about the covenant of grace which each of his followers enter into, a covenant that gives them forgiveness of sin, the presence of the sanctifying Spirit, the reality of communion with God, and the prospect of heaven, and all based on his completion of his work.

One final point from the grain offering as it depicts the person and work of Jesus, and it is that both God and the priests received part of it. God received his portion in the part that was offered as a memorial by the priest; this shows us that the most effective way, indeed the only way, by which we can ask God to remember us is by asking him to do so for the sake of Christ. The priests ate the rest, and this is a reminder that the spiritual food of those who serve the Lord must be Christ himself, his person and his work. On an occasion of public worship, the grain offering tells us that worshippers should gratefully thank God for Jesus and think about him, those with official duties should anticipate feeding on Christ, and both groups should be aware that the one who appreciates Jesus the most is his heavenly Father.