Burnt to Belong

Daily Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 1-3

Daily Focus Passage: Leviticus 1

Leviticus is a difficult book for many people to read. This book centers on topics like an explanation of the sacrifices and the order of the priest. This book teaches us about Jesus by foreshadowing his work in the sacrifices and his role as the priest. Today let us take a moment to understand the significance of burnt offerings. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SIN

The burnt offering existed to deal with the presence and effects of sin. Sin causes separation from the Lord and creates a split relationship between humanity and the Lord. This sin carries a debt that can be paid by death alone. Thus, the burnt offering was formed to make way for the presence and punishment of sin to be handled.  As a result, the burnt offering begins with the acknowledgment of sin.

When sin is acknowledged, the individual recognizes the effects of sin, the guilt of sin, and the deserved punishment of sin. If one rejects the presence of sin in their life, they do not understand the need for the burnt sacrifice. The acknowledgment of sin did not exist just for the burnt offering in Leviticus but as the launching point of receiving Christ as Lord and Savior in the New Covenant.

ACTION FOR ATONEMENT

The acknowledgment of sin started the process, but the individual had to act as a sacrifice to obtain atonement. The sacrifice required the sacrificing of an animal on the burnt offering, which meant the sacrifice was killed and then burned completely. Sin’s requirement of death forced the need for death performed on the sacrificial animal.

In the New Covenant, Jesus took the action of death, burial, and resurrection as the act of atonement. He gave his life entirely and spilled the necessary blood to gain atonement. He offered himself as the sacrifice that brought forgiveness to sin by taking on the action of creating atonement by being the sacrificial lamb.

ACCEPTABLE AROMA

The burnt offering provided a sweet aroma that ascended to heaven to please the Lord and appease his wrath. The aroma rises to heaven and is the go-between the sinner and the Lord. So likewise, Jesus ascends to heaven and serves as the mediator between the Father and us. He is the aroma that offers appeasement for sin and opens the door for forgiveness. 

As we walk through the Book of Leviticus, may we attempt to see how Jesus is foreshadowed in words. May we see how the sacrifices point us to our need for a Savior and how Jesus is that needed Savior.