the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
2 Chronicles 30:15-27
Like the king in the parable, Hezekiah had the invitation of grace proclaimed throughout the land: "Behold, I have prepared my dinner: . . . all things are ready: come . . . " (Matthew 22:4). Many took no notice. And amongst those who did come, many were not sanctified (v. 17). What was to be done? Should they be sent home? Not at all! Just as the guests at the great feast receive a wedding garment from the king, so the grace of God deals with purifying these Israelites, in order to make them fit for His holy presence. And this purification is achieved precisely by means of the Passover which they have come to celebrate. The blood of the slaughtered victims provides for their sanctification. We are reminded of the blood of Jesus, the holy Lamb of God. It cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7).
Concerning the weak and the ignorant, Hezekiah, as a type of Christ, intercedes for them to God who forgives them. Then follows the feast of unleavened bread. It speaks of practical sanctification. A great joy comes with it, proof that separation for God is in no way synonymous with sadness. And the prayer of the priests, the spokesmen for the people, reaches its goal: it arrives at the holy dwelling place of the LORD in heaven.
