How does 2 Kings 23:23 emphasize the importance of observing the Passover today? Scripture Focus “But in the eighteenth year of Josiah, this Passover was observed to the LORD in Jerusalem.” (2 Kings 23:23) Setting the Scene • Judah had drifted far from God through idolatry and neglect of His commands. • King Josiah rediscovered “the Book of the Covenant” (23:2) and moved quickly to realign national life with God’s Word. • Central to the reform was reviving the Passover—an ordinance left unkept “since the days of the judges” (23:22). Why Josiah’s Passover Matters Now 1. Obedience Anchored in Scripture • Josiah kept Passover because God’s Law plainly required it (Exodus 12:14; Deuteronomy 16:1-2). • His example underscores that divine commands are enduring, not optional or antiquated. 2. Revival Flows from Returning to God’s Appointed Feasts • The feast in 2 Kings 23 triggered nationwide cleansing of idols (23:24). • Spiritual renewal today likewise begins when God’s people honor what He has instituted rather than inventing substitutes. 3. Passover as a Living Memorial of Redemption • Israel looked back to deliverance from Egypt; believers now look to the greater Exodus secured by “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • Remembering past salvation fuels present gratitude and future faith. 4. Christ the Fulfillment, Yet the Pattern Remains • “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast…” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). • The apostle links the historical rite to a continuing call: celebrate God’s deliverance through lives free from “leaven” (sin). 5. A Community Celebration, Not a Private Memory • Josiah gathered “all the people” (2 Kings 23:21). • Families today can mark Passover—or its New-Covenant reflection in the Lord’s Supper—in fellowship, proclaiming redemption together (1 Corinthians 11:26). 6. Prophetic Anticipation • Jesus said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you… For I tell you I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:15-16). • Every present-day observance looks ahead to that ultimate kingdom banquet. Practical Takeaways • Set aside time each spring to rehearse the Exodus story and trace its fulfillment in Messiah. • Use a simple Seder or Passover meal to teach children how the Lamb’s blood still speaks (Hebrews 12:24). • Examine personal “leaven,” confessing and clearing it out so the feast is kept “with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8). • Share the celebration with others, letting the meal become a testimony that redemption is real, recent, and relevant. |
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