Leviticus 1 describes the different burnt offerings to be presented for atonement, highlighting the importance of atonement. Atonement is mentioned 45 times in Leviticus, and 50 more times in the rest of the Old Testament. Atonement means “covered up.” Burnt offerings could not take away sin, but could cover up sin until the coming of Jesus, and his ultimate sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

Burnt offerings could be a male ox, a male sheep, a goat without blemish, or a simple dove or pigeon. Everyone, rich and poor, could come to God for atonement. He wants our hearts, not our sacrifice. What’s important to God is that our offering comes at a price, freely offered, and in God’s way.

For burnt offerings, worshipers put their hand on the animal’s head as a sign that the sacrifice was taking their place. The worshiper killed it, and the priests spread its blood on the altar. The priest cut the sacrifice into pieces, washed the parts, and burned it entirely -- a sign of complete surrender. Are you holding anything back? We are responsible for death because of our sins. Only the blood of a substitute can cover our sins. Yet no animal could truly take our place. Knowing this, God gave his Son, Jesus, as the perfect substitute for our sins.
Application: Father, thank you for sacrificing your Son Jesus. Thank you Jesus for being my high priest.
One Word: A perfect sacrifice for my sins