“And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon” (Leviticus 2:1).

The burnt sacrifice of Leviticus 1:3 teaches that Christ’s death was a voluntary sacrifice of Himself to the Father’s will, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The meat offering of Leviticus 2:1 typifies Christ in His perfect, sinless humanity. The first shows His death, the latter shows His life of perfection lived before all.

There was no death or blood-shedding connected with the meat (or actually “meal”) offering, because it was made of fine flour. From the flour was made a cake which was then baked in the oven (v.4). This cake was unleavened (v.11), representing the humanity of Christ, our Bread of Life. His sinless humanity is perhaps seen in the word “fine” (v.1). The life that Christ lived before others was indeed sinless. In fact, no one accepted His challenge to “convince me of sin” (John 8:46).

All of this was accomplished through the Holy Spirit who is possibly seen in the oil associated with this offering. Leviticus 2:4 mentions “mingled with oil,” showing the Spirit’s part in the birth of Christ. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

This offering was one “made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD” (2:9). Our Lord was put in the fire, not only on the cross, but all through His life. Yet the more He was tested, the more His infinite perfections were revealed. His whole life and death were a sweet savor to God. He did surely give “Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2). NPS