The Chronicler goes into great detail about Josiah’s celebration of the Passover. His purpose is, in part, to remind his audience of the importance of the celebration in creating a cohesive and close-knit community. The Passover feast is one which binds all Jews and Israelites together as they recall their common history and covenant with Yahweh. Thus, it is vital that it be carried out faithfully for it has the power to engender hope and encouragement in the hearts of the people in the midst of difficult circumstances. The Chronicler joyfully recalls the details of the event for it was such a magnificent celebration that honored the Lord and one which would never be repeated in this way.
Jews today still celebrate the Passover with similar feasting around the Seder table. But the Passover meal is not just eating; it is a time of fellowship in which Jews gather with family and friends to call to mind their common bonds of faith and nationality. They call to mind and recite the things that the Lord did for their ancestors in the Exodus, for Jews throughout history and what He is doing for them. They were persecuted and they endured. They of course do not know Jesus, and so their commemorations do not bring them the real hope of eternal salvation. Nevertheless the church could learn from them how to come together as a community of believers around the Lord’s Table with a common purpose and heritage, as a family in Christ rather than as a loosely related collection of individuals who believe the same thing. After all we claim to be, as the Apostle’s Creed states, “the communion of saints.”
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