I’ve known for some time now that the book of Leviticus is important because it explains the system of animal sacrifice that God instituted to prepare his people for the arrival of Jesus. They came to know the importance of sacrifice. They understood that “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22).

Recently I have become more aware of the personal involvement of the worshipers who are depicted in Leviticus. They did not simply bring an animal to the priest and stand back at a safe distance while the offering was being made. No, they had an important part in the sacrifice. Leviticus 3:2 says, “He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it…” This same instruction is repeated several times in chapters 3 and 4, as the various offerings are prescribed.

Maybe the reason God set up the animal sacrifices this way was to make us think about the fact that it was our sin that sent Jesus to the cross. Therefore, we had a hand in his death. Perhaps we should reflect on that as we take the elements of communion in our hands.