What lessons from Josiah's Passover can we apply to our worship practices? The Scene—2 Chronicles 35:17 “Thus the Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.” Lesson 1: Worship Begins With the Word • Josiah’s Passover was possible only because “the Book of the Law” had been rediscovered (2 Chronicles 34:14–19). • When Scripture is read plainly and believed, worship is purified and revived. • Application: Build every service, song set, and sermon on the straightforward reading of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16). Lesson 2: Preparation Honors God • Priests and Levites “sanctified themselves” and “stood in their posts” (2 Chronicles 35:2–6). • Careful planning—assigning roles, rehearsing music, preparing hearts—reflects reverence. • Application: Arrive early, pray beforehand, tune instruments, print lyrics; order signals that the Lord deserves excellence (1 Corinthians 14:40). Lesson 3: Whole-Community Participation • “All Judah and Israel who were present” took part (v. 18). • Leaders served; laypeople brought offerings; families ate together. • Application: Encourage every age and background to contribute—read Scripture, play, sing, serve communion (Romans 12:4–8). Lesson 4: Sacrificial Generosity • Josiah provided 30,000 lambs/goats and 3,000 cattle “from the king’s own possessions” (v. 7). • Leaders modeled giving; the people followed (vv. 8–9). • Application: Give freely of resources, talent, and time; leadership sets the pace (2 Corinthians 9:7). Lesson 5: Joyful, Remembering Worship • The feast lasted seven days, marked by music, singing, and remembrance of deliverance (vv. 15–16). • True worship looks back to God’s salvation and forward to His promises (Exodus 12:14; Revelation 5:9). • Application: Fill gatherings with testimonies, Scripture readings, and songs that recount redemption in Christ. Lesson 6: Christ, Our Passover • The Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus, “our Passover Lamb…sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). • Josiah’s careful obedience points to the perfect obedience of Christ (Philippians 2:8). • Application: Center every act of worship on the finished work of Jesus—preaching the gospel, celebrating the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:15–20). Lesson 7: Consistency Beyond the Event • After the feast, the leaders “were firmly in their positions” (2 Chronicles 35:19). • Revival must flow into regular faithfulness. • Application: Let special services inspire ongoing habits—daily Scripture, weekly gathering, continual praise (Hebrews 10:24–25). Putting It All Together Worship that mirrors Josiah’s Passover will be Word-anchored, well-prepared, inclusive, generous, Christ-centered, and sustained. Embrace these patterns, and our gatherings will honor the God who delivered Israel—and who delivers us today through His Son. |
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