Key Verse: "If his offering be a burnt
sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall
offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation before the Lord."
- Leviticus 1:3 KJV
The Book of Leviticus, while primarily focused on the laws and rituals of the Israelites, does contain many foreshadows of Jesus Christ and His ultimate sacrifice. This devotional explores how the burnt offering described in Leviticus chapter 1 points to the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Jesus.
The burnt offering required a male animal without blemish, symbolizing the perfection of Jesus Christ. Just as the animal had to be without any physical defects, Jesus was without any moral or spiritual blemish. He was the perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
The offering was to be brought voluntarily, reflecting the willing sacrifice of Jesus. He did not come to earth under compulsion but out of love for humanity. Jesus said, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
The person bringing the offering had to place their hand on the head of the animal, symbolizing their identification with the sacrifice. This act foreshadows how we must identify with Jesus, acknowledging that He died in our place. Paul writes, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Atonement
The burnt offering was accepted to make atonement for the individual, pointing to the atonement Jesus made for us through His death on the cross. Hebrews 9:12 states, "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Sweet Aroma
The burnt offering was described as a sweet aroma to the Lord, indicating that it was pleasing to Him. Similarly, Jesus' sacrifice is described as a sweet aroma in Ephesians 5:2: "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
Jesus in the Burnt Offering
As we reflect on the burnt offering in Leviticus, we are reminded of the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites brought their offerings to the tabernacle, we are called to bring our lives as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). Let us live in gratitude for the perfect atonement Jesus has provided, and let our lives be a sweet aroma to the Lord.
It should be our desire, like the Israelites, to approach God with a heart of surrender and thanksgiving, knowing that our sins are forgiven and our relationship with God is restored through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
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