Leviticus 1   This book sometimes is met with a groan or a sigh.. It is a book of laws.. civil laws, ceremonial laws.. moral laws.. and religious laws.  A book that lays out the duties of the Levites.. God's chosen ministers.  This book explains the need for offerings.. making clear the Holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind.. and showing a way for forgiveness and reconciliation between the two.  It is a hard book to read.. but is so important to do so for it is God's holy Word and He actively and powerfully speaks through every chapter. 

The book begins with the law for burnt offerings.  These offerings were brought by anyone... freely offered for the purpose of "atonement".  It could be a bull, a sheep or goat, or a bird.. according to whatever the man could provide.  Verse 3 and verse 10 tell us that the animal must be "without defect" and it must be a male bull or sheep.  Then the man would place his hand on the animal's head "that it may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf." ( v4)

The man would then kill the animal and give it to the priests who would sprinkle the blood around the altar and burn the pieces of it on the altar, giving care to arrange the pieces appropriately.  The entrails and legs were washed before being offered.  When all of the animal was burned up it became a "soothing aroma to the Lord". 

The offering of a turtledove or pigeon was a little different, for the priest actually killed the bird himself, removed the crop and the feathers and split the bird open without cutting it apart.  It was then offered completely on the altar. 

God accepted this offering for the atonement of the person who brought it.  Atonement means to "cover, appease, cleanse, or purge".. It is taking one's sin and transferring it onto the head of the offering so that God would consider the one who gave it willingly would be considered holy and accepted by Him.  In the same way we come to Jesus, placing all of our sin and guilt on the Lamb who was slain... whose blood was shed and body broken for us. 

We are accepted and approved by God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son.  Our Father accepts us because we have a perfect offering.. Jesus Christ.  Atonement through Christ removes a barrier between me and my God.  As I put my faith in Jesus.. in His atonement sacrifice.. I am accepted and approved, for God declared His offering to be acceptable.. to satisfy the debt that I owe. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross paid the price in full! 

Father in heaven, we thank You for the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of all who will place their hands on Him by faith... acknowledging our guilt and sin and recognizing our need for the acceptable atoning offering that is only in Christ Jesus the Lord.  You are satisfied with His sacrifice and all barriers are removed between all who will believe and You.. our Lord and our God.  We give praise and thanks for such grace and love!  You have shown us mercy when we have never deserved such kindness.  Thank You Jesus! Amen.