Leviticus opens by describing several types of recurring offerings the people could offer at the tabernacle. Each of these sacrifices was to be offered in a certain way and had a specific purpose.

The first offering is the burnt offering, a voluntary animal sacrifice where the entire animal was burned, and the fire and smoke were a pleasing aroma to God. While the burnt offering involved atonement for sin (v. 4), it also signified a person’s full dedication to God, pictured by the sacrifice being completely burned.

In this offering, we see images of Christ’s full dedication to the Father expressed through His life obedience and His willing sacrifice on the Cross. Christ gave Himself fully for us to make atonement for our sin. Our only reasonable response is total surrender to Him. The voluntary nature of this offering captures both Christ’s willingness to endure shame on our behalf and our proper motivation in living for Him. Our obedience is not to be offered by compulsion, but instead to be motivated by love and gratitude.

• What area (or areas) of your life are you holding back instead of fully surrendering to God? What is preventing you from giving this (these) to God joyfully?