The Hand on the Offering
“He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”
A GESTURE HEAVY WITH MEANING
The worshiper placed his own hand on the animal's head — a gesture that said: this one is dying in my place.
IT SHALL BE ACCEPTED
God doesn't leave the worshiper guessing — he promises that the offering, given rightly, will be accepted.
ATONEMENT IN HIS PLACE
The phrase 'for him' is the heart of the verse — another dies so that you can stand covered.
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS
Every burnt offering in Leviticus is a shadow pointing toward the day God's own Lamb would carry the sin of the world.
STARTING THE BOOK RIGHTLY
Leviticus opens here on purpose — before any law about how to live comes the provision for when you fail.
PRAY THE SUBSTITUTION
Act: Name one specific sin weighing on you today, and thank Christ in prayer for carrying it in your place.