In 2 Chronicles 30 it was in the heart of King Hezekiah to celebrate the festival of Passover, which had been abandoned for years by his father King Ahaz. Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:5) decided to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, calling the people to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. The blood of the lamb (see Exodus 12) shielded the Israelites as death passed through the land of Egypt. Likewise, the blood of the sinless lamb, Jesus, shed on the cross does not shield but defeats death for all who by faith confess Jesus as Lord. That’s why, like Hezekiah, we continually proclaim, from Petal to Sumrall, Purvis to Oak Grove to Hattiesburg: “come to the grace of God, Join us in the Kingdom of Life”. And so (2 Chronicles 30:10-11) The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but people scorned and ridiculed them. Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Things haven’t changed much have they? We couriers are still often scorned and ridiculed. But thank God for the word “nevertheless”. A few will listen, a few will respond, a few will come and together we will celebrate the Savior who delivers from death to life.
- PK
