This chapter describes the steps King Hezekiah takes to reinstate the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
“For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean… For a majority of the people… had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, ‘May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.’ And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.” (v17-20 abr)
Since many of the priests, remaining Israelites (not in captivity) and Judeans were not properly prepared for the Passover, several concessions had to be made. Specifically, Hezekiah asked God for forgiveness for all those who were not properly prepared to celebrate (had not gone through the proper cleansing rituals), and God answered that prayer.
This passage reminds me that God wants us to approach Him just as we are. God does appreciate us taking the time to prepare ourselves for spending time in His presence, yet He’s won’t let a lack of preparation stop us being with Him. God’s forgiveness and cleansing power are far greater than our ability/inability to properly prepare ourselves for His presence. If we are waiting to ‘have it all together’ before we approach God, we will probably never be ready, because we are incapable of properly cleansing our hearts without Him.
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (Jn 6:37) “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rm 5:8) “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isa 55:1)
Scripture is pretty clear that we can approach God as we are, and He will never turn us away. We can’t cleanse/forgive our own sin, bestow Christ’s righteousness upon ourselves, or bridge the spiritual rift sin created between us and God – only God can do those things. All we can do is humbly approach God as we are – poor, broken and wretched sinners – begging for His grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Father God, our Loving Lord and Savior, we praise Your holy name. Father we humbly ask for Your forgiveness. We confess that we have sinned and cannot cleanse ourselves. We acknowledge that we can’t ‘get it all together’ without Your help, and we approach you just as we are. We thank You for Your infinite grace and mercy, and forgiveness upon us. In the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training