The Pathway to Acceptable Worship: A Study of Leviticus 1

Dear Brethren in Christ, 

As we open Leviticus—the third book of Scripture—we step into a conversation already in progress. The opening word “Then” (v. 1) immediately connects us to Exodus, where God spoke to Moses from the newly constructed Tent of Meeting. Here, the Lord establishes the sacred pattern for offerings, revealing a timeless truth: God receives only what He designates. Just as Israel needed specific sacrifices to approach Him, we too must grasp what makes worship “an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord” (v. 9, 13, 17). 

The burnt offering provides profound principles for God-honoring worship.

First, the sacrifice must be “a male without defect” (v. 3)—pointing to Christ, the flawless Lamb (1 Peter 1:19). For us, this signifies lives offered to God in holiness, unpolluted by the world (Romans 12:1).

Second, the offering occurs exclusively “at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (v. 3)—foreshadowing Jesus as “the Way” (John 14:6), our only access to the Father.

Third, the worshiper lays hands on the animal’s head (v. 4), enacting a transfer of guilt to an innocent substitute—a powerful picture of our identification with Christ’s atoning sacrifice (Isaiah 53:6).

Fourth, the priests sprinkle the blood on the altar (v. 5), declaring sin’s deadly cost and prefiguring how Christ’s blood “purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). 

Every detail finds fulfillment in Jesus: He is our perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) who presents His own blood, and the very altar where God’s justice was satisfied. The fire that consumed the offering foreshadows the divine wrath He bore for us. 

This changes everything for us: We no longer bring bulls or rams—we bring ourselves as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). How? By surrendering our brokenness to His perfection, approaching God solely through Christ, and living daily in the light of His blood-bought forgiveness. The rituals were repeated to drill holiness into Israel’s consciousness; now, we fix our eyes on the once-for-all sacrifice who makes our worship acceptable. 

Pray with me:

> “Lord Jesus, spotless Lamb, thank You for bearing my guilt. Make my life a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to You. Keep me near Your altar of grace. Amen.”

Questions about Leviticus?
✉️ silasoriokot123@gmail.com 

In Christ,
Silas Oriokot