Josiah was only eight years old when he began to reign as king of Judah. Use the King’s Chart. Samuel was a prophet when Saul became king in 1095 BC. Josiah’s Passover was in the 18th year of his reign, making it 615 BC. Thus, Josiah lived more than 480 years after Samuel. To put this in perspective, it is now 2023. 480 years ago was 1543. That was a LONG time ago.

Note what God tells us in 2 Chronicles 35:18 about Josiah’s Passover. It was superior to all Passover celebrations since the days of Samuel.

Transition

This evening, I want us to discover what made Josiah’s Passover unique, and how it can help us improve our Lord’s Supper.

What made Josiah’s Passover Unique?

  1. It resulted from Josiah’s personal spiritual revival.
    1. He heard and feared the Word of God (34:21, 30-31).
    2. He urged all his people to follow the Lord (34:32)
    3. He took away the abominations (34:33)
    4. He forced compliance (34:33). I am not sure that this truly helped the people, but he was zealous.
    5. One person can make a difference. You can begin a revival.
  2. Josiah strictly observed Passover regulations.
    1. Josiah ordered strict observance of the Law. (2 Kings 23:21) “And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.” (Read 2Ch 35:1-19, with emphasis)
    2. Evidently, former kings, including David, did not as strictly observe all that the Law required regarding the Passover (cf., 2Ch 35:18).
  3. Josiah worshipped the Lord sincerely.
    1. Previous Passovers were often empty ritual.
    2. God was truly the focus of this Passover.

What can we learn from Josiah’s Passover?

  1. The Lord’s Supper is not the Passover
    1. The Passover is a Jewish memorial.
    2. Though Christ instituted the first Lord’s Supper during the Passover, and though He in many ways fulfilled the imagery of the Passover, the Lord’s Supper is a Christian ordinance and a memorial of Christ’s atonement. It is not the Passover.
  2. Comparisons for us.
    1. Both are memorials
      1. The Passover was a memorial of the first Passover in Egypt.
      2. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s atonement on Calvary.
    2. Both commemorate deliverance.
      1. God delivered Israel from death by the blood of the perfect lamb.
      2. God delivered us from judgment by the blood of the Lamb of God.
    3. Both are in danger of becoming rituals.
      1. The Passover had often been celebrated mechanically as a ritual. Josiah’s revival made the difference.
      2. The Lord’s Supper can also become a mechanical ritual. That is the main reason that we do not have it weekly as some churches do. Salvation and spiritual revival can make it vivid.
    4. Both have qualifications.
      1. The Passover was only for God’s people.
      2. The Lord’s Supper is only for true believers.
      3. The blood of the Pascal lamb was sprinkled on the door posts to protect from death.
      4. The blood of Christ must be applied to the sinner’s heart to protect him from judgment.
    5. Both were public rather than private observances.
      1. The Passover was a national, public, yearly observance.
      2. The Lord’s Supper is a public, church observance.
    6. Both have a similar focus.
      1. The Passover was to be done unto the LORD.
      2. The Lord’s Supper is to be observed in remembrance of Christ.
  3. Applications
    1. Just as the Passover was meaningless to Gentiles, so the Lord’s Supper is meaningless to unbelievers. In fact, 1 Corinthians 11:29 states that partaking unworthily will bring upon yourself God’s judgment.
    2. We, like Josiah, need a spiritual revival in our hearts in order to partake in the Supper in a truly God-glorifying manner. If you are not right with God, forgiveness and cleansing is just a sincere confession away (1Jn 1:9).

Let’s turn our attention now to the Lord’s Supper

  1. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
    1. Slowly
    2. Prayerfully
  2. Preparation
    1. Remember, the Lord’s Supper is a memorial. It is not a sacrament that earns merit with God.
    2. It is only for Christians. If you have genuinely placed your faith in Christ, you are welcome to partake with us. However, if you are not a genuine believer, please do not partake.
    3. As a believer, if there is sin in your heart, confess it before you partake.
    4. Give time for silent prayer.
  3. Bread
    1. Thank the Lord for the bread.
    2. Pass it out (ask everyone to wait).
    3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:24, then partake.
  4. Juice
    1. Thank the Lord for the juice.
    2. Pass it out (ask everyone to wait).
    3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:25, then partake.

Song: At the Cross, 129
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Josiah’s Passover
20 August 2023 PM – 2 Chronicles 35:1-19 – Lord’s Supper – Scott Childs