Leviticus 1

“If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the LORD.” (Leviticus 1:3, NLT)

We come now to the offerings that the LORD prescribed to make atonement for the people. One could not approach God apart from animal sacrifice. This foreshadowed Jesus Christ who makes atonement for everyone who believes in Him.

Five offerings are described in Leviticus. The first three were voluntary; the last two were required. The first was the burnt offering. This was the most ancient of offerings, for it was offered by both Noah and Abraham. The entire animal was placed on the altar. Therefore, it was considered the offering of consecration. It could be from the herds (bulls) or from the flocks (sheep or goats). The blood was sprinkled all around on the altar to make atonement. If you were poor, you could also offer a turtledove or young pigeon. This was a voluntary expression of worship and a sweet savor to the LORD.

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices to the LORD, we do offer ourselves. The apostle Paul wrote:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1, NKJV)

This is the free-will offering of ourselves. In view of God’s amazing mercies in saving us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it is our reasonable service of worship. It is the offering of consecration or dedication where we put our whole bodies on the altar and hold back nothing for ourselves. We do this because Jesus willingly yielded His entire body for us on the cross.

When we offer our bodies in this manner, God is pleased. However, we still have a flesh that resists this. Our flesh wants to be in control and does not want to stay on the altar! But we can stay on the altar with the help of the Holy Spirit by crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). Then God gives us more grace.

What does it mean for you to present your body to God as a living sacrifice? Is anything hindering you? What is God asking you to surrender to Him today?