A Sweet Aroma

Leviticus 1:9b
"And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD."

Sixteen times in the book of Leviticus (9 times in the first 4 chapters) does God describe the burnt offering of bulls, sheep, goats, doves or grain as a "sweet aroma."
Personally, I've never considered burning flesh, skin, hair and the like to be sweet or even pleasant. Some have even suggested that the altar of incense was there in the Temple to cover over the smell of burning flesh as a reminder to the people that God was covering over the stink of their sin. So what made burning flesh such a sweet aroma to God?
I believe it was the fact that the sacrifice was fully consumed by the fire. There was nothing left when the ritual was over. These animals were a picture of Christ who fully gave Himself for us - a sweet smelling aroma to God (Eph. 5:2) And we are to walk daily as this burnt offering - fully consumed in mind, heart and action - in love in all we do. When we set our agendas and pride aside (take up our cross) and follow Him, our sin is covered over and God is pleased.

Holy God, consume my life, my thoughts, my words and actions and may my life be a sweet smelling sacrifice to You. Amen

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."
Ephesians 5:2