Jesus Is Your Sweet Aroma To God - Ps. Joseph Prince

Leviticus 1:13
¹³... the priest shall bring it all and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

 Old testament times, when burnt offering is killed

• head is severed,
• fat removed,
• entrails and legs washed.

Everything was placed on an altar and burnt.
Sacrifice is a sweet aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:2

“given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma”. 

All this speaks of the death of Jesus, who has given himself for us...

1. The head of the sacrificed animal - mind of Christ offered as a covering for our minds. 

that although our minds are often clouded with unbelief, worries, foolishness, filth and human reasoning, God treats us as if we have the mind of Christ, without wrong or displeasing thoughts, bringing pleasure to Him like a sweet aroma.

2. The fat of the animal - riches of Christ, His best, for God equates the fat of something with the best of that entity. (Genesis 45:18) 

The fat of the burnt sacrifice speaks of Jesus giving us His riches, His best, as our covering. So God does not see us in our lack, but in the riches and excellence of Jesus going up to Him as a sweet aroma.

 

3. The entrails or intestines - Jesus’ motivations, feelings, affections and desires. 

We often feel fearful, anxious, stressed out or angry (and it affects our stomach and intestines). But God sees only Jesus’ feelings and desires, which are always pure, beautiful and acceptable to Him — a sweet aroma.

4. The legs - Jesus’ perfect walk — His power to serve and obey the Father — imputed to our weak and faltering walk. 

The fact they are washed shows that even our crooked walk has been cleansed.

God does not see your foolish mind, weak nature, inadequate feelings or faulty walk. Instead, He sees you in the perfection of His Son, who gave Himself up for you as a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.