Keeping the Passover

God's Creative Word
The Word Is Here and Now
Cleansing the Temple

2 Chronicles 30:1-9

The Message

 ^1-5 Then Hezekiah invited all of Israel and Judah, with personal letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, to come to The Temple of God in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to Israel's God. The king and his officials and the congregation in Jerusalem had decided to celebrate Passover in the second month. They hadn't been able to celebrate it at the regular time because not enough of the priests were yet personally prepared and the people hadn't had time to gather in Jerusalem. Under these circumstances, the revised date was approved by both king and people and they sent out the invitation from one end of the country to the other, from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north: "Come and celebrate the Passover to Israel's God in Jerusalem." No one living had ever celebrated it properly. ^6-9 The king gave the orders, and the couriers delivered the invitations from the king and his leaders throughout Israel and Judah. The invitation read: "O Israelites! Come back to God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he can return to you who have survived the predations of the kings of Assyria. Don't repeat the sins of your ancestors who turned their backs on God, the God of their ancestors who then brought them to ruin—you can see the ruins all around you. Don't be pigheaded as your ancestors were. Clasp God's outstretched hand. Come to his Temple of holy worship, consecrated for all time. Serve God, your God. You'll no longer be in danger of his hot anger. If you come back to God, your captive relatives and children will be treated compassionately and allowed to come home. Your God is gracious and kind and won't snub you—come back and he'll welcome you with open arms."

For Reflection 

What wonderful hospitality is found in the hollow of God's hand.  He welcomes all. Unlike the attitude of the King in these passages, God's hospitality is not conditional.  He offers salvation to all over and over, time and time again.  In God's presence all are treated compassionately and welcomed warmly.  How do we invite the stranger and the friend into God's grace? 

Pray

that you will open the doors to all who are willing to attend to God's promise.  Pray that God's promise will speak to all of humankind in an authentic offer of sanctuary.  Pray that you will offer God's hospitality and sanctuary to all.