The Greatest Celebration in 400 Years!

 Read 2 Chronicles 35. 

Nothing was spared in celebrating the Passover when King Josiah reigned.

As he grew older, he also grew in his spiritual leadership.  The Temple had been cleansed and repaired.  The Book of the Law had been discovered and there was a renewed commitment to obey it.  Only now could the leadership and the nation properly come before the LORD for a wholehearted celebration. 

1. They prepared themselves.

The Levites who taught and served at the Temple were charged again to fulfill their responsibilities.  This meant they were to accomplish their assigned tasks by family and division as prescribed in the Scriptures.  They then could put the Ark back where it belonged.  In order to handle the tremendous amount of people and offering, they must be ready.  There was work to be done. 

2. They consecrated themselves.

Without spiritually preparation, they would just be doing a job, instead of a ministry.  The price of serving God is purity!  Ministry is an inside out work.  It begins within the heart of the servant and flows into the lives of others. 

3. They worked hard.

Those who taught the people, those who helped with the sacrifices, those who burned the offerings, those who boiled the meat, those cleaned up after all the mess, those who sang, those who offered the sacrifices and worshiped--all celebrated together!  Yes, they came for the day of Passover, but the feast lasted a week. 

Verse 18 states: "No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet." 

Worship is not a spectator sport.  Everyone should come with their hearts right before the LORD and ready to give, work and do their part.