Lesson for the Lord’s Day
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him, to make atonement for him. Leviticus 1:4
The calves were always tied up on one side of the cattle stable, very convenient for us to pet and play with them as we did our barn chores. Many times, as I would take one of the calves a pail of milk or feed, I would stay and visit a bit. Some of the calves enjoyed the attention, but others would have preferred that I just gave them the feed and moved along to let them enjoy it in peace. Usually, when I placed my hand on the calf’s head, the calf would attempt to shake my hand off as it tried to eat from the pail. I think of those calves every time I read today’s text, and wonder if the sacrificial calves were as temperamental. If they knew what was coming, they certainly would. How different the One Great Sacrifice, who submitted meekly and willingly.
The Israelites who brought their animals to the altar in the tabernacle were aware of the need for their sins to be covered. Bringing their sacrifice was their admission they were unable to cleanse themselves. They were depending on the value of the sacrifice to atone for their sins and to restore them to God’s favour. As they arrived at the altar, they would look at the animal with respect and thanksgiving. Placing a hand on the animal’s head was probably an attempt to thank the animal despite the creature’s inability to understand. Even more importantly, the hand on the head of the animal was an act of identifying themselves with the animal, and committing their sins to it. This is much like the way in which we approach Calvary, and view our Saviour’s sacrifice there.
The sacrifices described in Leviticus bring before us many wonderful illustrations of Christ. We are able to understand much of what transpired at Calvary by the pictures presented in Leviticus. But the animals were just animals. Their blood had no power to cleanse the offerer from sin; it was only a proxy that God would accept until the real Sacrifice was offered. Nothing in those Old Testament sacrifices had a value of its own. But as we consider them, we are made to acknowledge that the Offering of which they speak had a value that is infinite. It is on that value we rest today.
As an Israelite would thank his bullock for taking his place, we today than our Savior as we remember His willing walk to Calvary and willing submission to His tormentors to be our Substitute. – Jim MacIntosh