Returning to the Lord: The Temporary and the Eternal
The setting of one kingdom, the rising of another—Christ, our eternal Passover.
Josiah’s Passover was a moment of brilliance—a return to the Lord with all the grandeur and zeal that the nation had seen in generations. It was more than a ritual; it was a heartfelt attempt to rekindle the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The celebration surpassed even Hezekiah’s Passover, yet, despite its magnificence, it was merely a fleeting light before the impending judgment. The reality remained—no matter how sincere the external revival, Israel needed a King who would not only lead them to keep the Passover but become the ultimate Passover Lamb, dying in their place to reconcile them to God (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7-8).
Josiah’s reign, filled with faithfulness and reform, ends with a tragic misstep. Rather than yielding to God’s direction, he engages in battle against Necho, the king of Egypt, despite God’s warning. His life, which had been so devoted to the Lord, ends in a moment of miscalculation. Even the most righteous kings could not usher in lasting redemption. God’s people awaited a King whose righteousness would never falter—one whose sacrifice would be sufficient for all eternity. That King is Jesus Christ.
Journal Reflection: A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
Lord, what a contrast! Josiah's Passover was extraordinary. The temple was filled with sacrifice, worship, and joyful obedience. The people came together in reverence, and for a moment, it seemed as though everything was set right. Yet, the revival was short-lived. The nation’s obedience flickered like a candle in the wind, soon extinguished by their own unfaithfulness. They needed more than a righteous king—they needed a Savior.
And here I am, Lord, standing in the fullness of what Josiah and his people longed for. They had shadows; I have the reality. They had lambs without blemish; I have You, the spotless Lamb of God. They celebrated a Passover that pointed forward; I live in the wake of the true Passover—Your finished work. This is not a kingdom that will fade, not a covenant that will be broken, not a sacrifice that must be repeated. You have secured an eternal redemption.
There is no need for a last-ditch effort to return to You, no anxiety that I must keep the flame burning through my own striving. You are my life. Your righteousness is my righteousness. The faithfulness I could never achieve, You freely supply.
And yet, Josiah's failure in battle is a reminder—zeal alone does not sustain. Even a heart set on You can be misled when it moves independently of Your voice. How easy it is to act with sincerity but without surrender. You are not calling me to frantic activity in Your name but to a continual yielding to Your Spirit.
I trust You to be my wisdom, my righteousness, my direction. You are the King who reigns, whose kingdom will never end, whose work will never be undone. I am safe in You, not by my faithfulness, but by Yours.
Prayer
Father, I rejoice in the perfect Passover of Christ! No longer do I rely on temporary rituals or fleeting revivals—I stand in the finished work of Jesus. His sacrifice is enough. His righteousness is mine. His life is my life. I trust You, Lord, to keep me resting in this unshakable kingdom, to keep my heart yielded, and to live through me as You desire. Thank You for being the King I will never outgrow, the Savior who is always sufficient. Amen.
Ideal Photo: A sunset over a vast, open field, signifying both the closing of one era (Josiah’s reign) and the dawning of the true, unshakable kingdom in Christ.
(Grace and Truth Study Bible insights credited. Photo credit: Unsplash.)