Steven A. Bush - February 5, 2017
Josiah Restores Passover and Jesus Fulfills It
Josiah was the last good king of Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, purging Judah and Israel from idol worship that included the sacrifice of babies and children to demon gods. Josiah also repaired the temple and while doing so found the lost the Book of the Law. Upon hearing it the king ripped his garments and wept. He then read it to all the people and renewed God's covenant in their presence. 2 Kings 23:25 is a fitting summary of Josiah's kingship: "Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him." (ESV) There's one more important thing that Josiah did--he restored the celebration of the Passover. Nearly 38,000 lambs and 4,000 bulls were sacrificed that day! But the ultimate Passover Lamb would be Jesus whose sacrifice on the cross atoned for our sins completely. Hebrews 10:4 & 10 says: "For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins...For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time." (NLT) And behold, this is the New Covenant--it not only supersedes the old--this one is eternal.