"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock-of the herd and of the flock. If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD." Leviticus 1:2-3

When a whole burnt offering was offered to the Lord it had to be from the livestock of the herd and it had to be without defect. That meant, when this offering was brought before the Lord it could have no blemishes or imperfections at all, it had to be a perfect animal. It also had to be offered freely by the owner. The whole burnt offering had to be given out of the owners own desire.

The whole burnt offering was a picture of Jesus. Jesus was the Lamb of God without sin. He was perfect. Not only was He perfect, but He was also offered before God of His own free will. Jesus was very clear that no one was taking His life, but rather He was laying it down willingly. Jesus a perfect sacrifice for a very imperfect world! Jesus willing laid His life down for us, becoming sin for us. When Jesus took our sin He gave us His righteousness. We became co-heirs with Christ, seated in heavenly places with Him by faith. Jesus has freely laid His life down for us let us daily do the same! Let us lay our own desires aside and live a life that's worthy of the righteousness we've been given. We are the righteousness of God; let us live our lives accordingly!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1