Through the Bible: 2 ChroniclesSample

Observe with Devotion

No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

 2 Chronicles‬ ‭35:18‬ ‭(ESV‬‬‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬

In all Israel the celebration of the Passover had been neglected, that even in Hezekiah’s time the Passover had not been observed properly as prescribed in the book of the Law. King Josiah made sure that changed. All of the people involved were purified, they offered burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord, they feasted and celebrated together, they remembered the Lord's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. They were all encouraged in faith. 

But their faith did not endure after Josiah‘s reign. Josiah was diligent in obeying God. He had been a good king and was greatly loved by the people. However, the reforms he instituted were based on people’s compliance to their king rather than on the spiritual fruit that would come from people’s hearts and devotion to God. 

Prayer

Abba Father, we thank You and celebrate Jesus our Passover Lamb. Help us to take inventory over our own neglect and devotion to You, make our hearts purified to be holy and worthy of the Lord's supper in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrificial atonement on the Cross for our sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen.