“Then he shall PUT his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him” (Leviticus 1:4)

This is a picture of a saint trusting in Christ to take away his sin. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God IN Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). When the penitent put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, by faith, sin was transferred from the sinner to the animal. The Hebrew word translated, “put”, is “camak”, which means, “uphold” or “stand fast” or “stayed”. Many “faith” Scriptures use the word.  

“The Lord upholds the righteous” (Psalms 37:17). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ... the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psalms 37:23-24). “Uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psalms 51:12). “Uphold me according to Your Word” (Psalms 119:115). “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3).

All these Scriptures encourage us to put our sins on the head of Christ. “You were sanctified ... in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (Hebrews 10:14). But it didn’t stop there. If God made you holy, you are also being sanctified(1 Corinthians 6:11) and are in an eternal holy union with Christ. “Both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one” (Hebrews 2:11).

Saints never stop putting their hands on Christ, to get rid of the sins that so easily ensnare them (Hebrews 12:1). Believer, do you remember the day you first put your hand on Christ? And now, when you sin, do you run to Him, and not only put your hand on Him, but put your whole being on Him? This is the practical reality of being IN Christ. “You are IN Christ Jesus, who became for us ... righteousness and sanctification” (1 Corinthians 1:30). “We are His workmanship, created IN Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).