“But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, because it is a sin offering” (Leviticus 5:11, BSB).
According to Leviticus 5:11, if a person was so poor they could not even afford two birds, they were permitted to bring a tenth of an ephah (about two quarts) of fine flour as a sin offering.
According to Hebrews 10, it was never possible for the bloodshed of animals to take away sin,
“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3-4, BSB).
Instead it is called an annual reminder of sin that God does not desire and that He is not pleased by animal sacrifices.
“Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight” (Hebrews 10:5-6, BSB).
“Then He adds, ‘Here I am, I have come to do Your will.’ He takes away the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:9, BSB).
It says Jesus is the once for all sacrifice in His body, setting aside what God doesn’t want (blood sacrifice) to set into place what He does want (an end to bloodshed).
Jesus says His body is bread and He is the bread of life.
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body’ ” (Matthew 16:26, BSB).
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst’ “ (John 6:35, BSB).
He is the Melchizidek (king of righteousness) high priest forever.
“Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:11, BSB).
“But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24, BSB).
According to Genesis 14 Melchizedek came with bread while all the other kings were shedding blood.
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18, BSB).
That’s why we are to break bread together as a daily reminder that God does not want bloodshed.
“…and when He had given thanks, He broke it [the bread] and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me’ “ (1 Corinthians 11:24, BSB).
“With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart” (Acts 2:46, BSB).
Swords to Plowshares 