Much of the problem with American Christianity is we are complacent. Often under no serious threat, our faith is treated more like that of a spectator sport than one who actually participates. We cast all of our trust and all of our responsibilities onto the pastor, priest or leaders. Often the only preparation considered before going to church is getting there on time, dressing appropriately, and if children are involved making sure they look and behave acceptably, etc. Then like in any other spectator sport, we sit down, take in what we are taught, maybe think about it for a while, then go on with our life. This is the way for the majority of churchgoers and even worse for those who identify as Christians, yet do little in the way of church, Bible reading, etc. I don't know how to put this any more gently, but sin stinks. We are all sinners and don’t deserve the privilege of being in fellowship with an infinitely Holy God. This disparity was glaringly clear as we see what was required of the people to atone for their sins and be in fellowship with God.

If we’re not careful with how we read through the various sacrifices we can make the mistake of thinking that the one offering the sacrifice simply brings the animal and then has the priest do all the work. But this is not the case. We read in Leviticus 1:3-6,9, "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.

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. He shall kill the bull before the Lord;... And he shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces...but he shall wash its entrails and its legs with water...". The one offering is much more involved in the process of sacrifice than we might think. This sacrifice was not impersonal or ritualistic, but personal. We often get the image that the sinner takes one of their multitude of livestock and sends it away to the priest to do the job. But this is far from the case. It was costly and it was personal. We read in Leviticus 4:29, "And he" (the one who sinned) "shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering." This animal sacrifice only brought temporary atonement. The word "atonement" in Hebrew is the word, "Kaphar", meaning to cover. These sacrifices had the power to cover up the sins of the individual but had no ability to take them away. Now picture our true Sacrifice. Realize that it was our sin which held our Savior to the cross until He could say "It is finished" or paid in full.

May we never minimize and take for granted the ultimate price that it cost our Savior, Jesus. In the 21st century we are not asked or required to do what was required in the nation of Israel at that time, but that doesn’t make our sin any less. In those days they had the Levitical priesthood, but may we, the children of God, never forget who we now are, as we read in 1 Peter 2:9-10, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." As God's priests we no longer have to offer animals, but are told in Romans 12:1-2, "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. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." May we all get off the sidelines, stop watching, and accept the role of priests and ambassadors for Christ (Philippians 3:20) that we have been given. It cost our Savior everything. May we approach each day, each time in church, each time before reading His Word, each time before prayer with the same personal conviction it took those bringing their beloved animals to be sacrificed. Our Savior deserves so much more, but this is the least of what we should be doing.