Now as I begin let me say I have no issue with the western tradition of Easter. I mean dyed eggs, plastic grass, bunny pictures, and who could have a problem with peanut butter eggs and marshmallow Peeps?
No doubt, there will be millions of plastic and dyed eggs hidden and found. There will be people of all faiths & practices taking part in this tradition. I mean, again I will say who could have a problem with peanut butter eggs and marshmallow Peeps?
As I was reading this morning in preparation for my prayer time, I was reminded ofa young man who found something that had become hidden.
Do you remember Hezekiah? Hezekiah was a great reformer. After Hezekiah died, his son Manasseh reigned (2 Chr. 32:33). Manasseh, according to scripture, did evil in the sight of the Lord. If you read 2 Chronicles chapter 33, you will see the reforms of Hezekiah were undone by Manasseh. Then after Manasseh died came Amon. Amon was an evil ruler. Amon was, in fact, so evil his people assassinated him. This left 8 year old Josiah to reign. He had nothing but evil examples in his household. The two generations before him had taken the kingdom back into paganism.
Josiah was a very young king. I can only imagine the struggles this young boy faced in his early years. What happened to Josiah is remarkable, considering his Father and Grandfather. Josiah would reign thirty one years. At age sixteen, Josiah began to seek the Lord. Then he began at the age of twenty to purge the kingdom of idol worship. This was a motivated young man.
Josiah would, at the age of twenty-six, send a man to see about repairing the house of the Lord. The high priest was Hilkiah. The king sent money and workmen were paid to do the work. While at the temple, Hilkiah gives Shaphan a book. This was a book of the law. This would have been the first five books of the Old Testament. We refer to these books as the Pentateuch.
What is amazing to me is that Josiah, ten years prior, began to seek the Lord. Prior to having the book of the law, Josiah also put a stop to idol worship. Josiah also desired to see the temple repaired. Then when the law was read before him by Shaphan for the first time, the Bible says he tore his clothes (2 Chr. 34:19).
The law had been found again. Josiah would seek the wisdom of a prophet. He would then go on to seek further reforms and would make a covenant to do as the law says.
The nation had gone away from God. They worshipped false gods. They had stopped seeking the true God. They had turned their backs on the law. They didn’t realize the law had been lost. When it was given to the king he doesn’t seem to be aware that there was such a book. That is shocking to me!
This is a group of people who were brought out to be God’s nation. This is a group of people who came out of great oppression. This is a group of people who’s ancestors saw God do great miracles. Now they have lost the law, they worship pagan gods, they do according to the wisdom of man, and they have no idea what they have lost.
When I get to thinking about this it, sounds a lot like today doesn’t it? In our world today, religion is all folks seem to have. Religion allows you to put a Bible verse on your wall and it has absolutely no meaning, but it goes great with the farmhouse decor. We have lost the truth of scripture to the god of political correctness, inclusion, and pragmatism. What do we do?
There was Josiah seeking the Lord. Then the law is rediscovered. Josiah was a radical reformer. He wasn’t going to let anything stop him from seeking God and his will!
Today in our homes…Men…who is leading? Who is seeking God? Josiah, the young man God placed over a nation began to seek God. Something that was lost was once again found.
There will be many eggs hidden and many eggs found . Some will be empty and somewill have treasure inside. As we gather this weekend what are we celebrating? Is the truth of the gospel hidden beneath a pile of plastic eggs and grass?
Maybe the treasure of the gospel should be rediscovered. I am not suggesting giving up egg hunts and fun traditions. I am suggesting not allowing those things to be the main thing. Do your traditions includesharing the gospel with your family? You say, well we go to church. That is not what I mean. There will be many people who go to church this weekend and won’t be back until next Easter or Christmas.
We live in a culture that has forgotten God. Josiah became aware of the law and its sufficiency. Do you see the Word of God as sufficient? You might say, yes I believe it’s true! You might say, I believe God inspired it. You might say, well I grew up reading it and I have 5 copies of the Bible. Well that is well and good, BUT do you see it as sufficient for your life?
Until we see the Word of God as sufficient we will never live by it, trust it, seek it, desire it, and truly experience it!
Do you want to see change? Do you want to see change in your familial relationships? Do you want to see change within your marriage? Do you want to see change at the workplace? Do you want to see change in our state? How about a change in ourNation? That change will only come when men begin to see scripture as sufficient and lead their families in that way.
Josiah made a radical change when he heard the law. He adjusted everything to conform to the law. When is the last time you adjusted anything to conform to God’s word? The Word doesn’t conform to our thinking. The Word requires us to conform.
As you observe the activities of this weekend. Take time to observe the joy on a child’s face as they find a plastic egg, or as they open the treats in their baskets. Then lead your family to read the scripture and to understand one point of Christ’s life this week and share what it means to you! Some might say, why one? Well begin to feed yourself and your family with smallportions, but be consistent! They are watching you!
Especially at Easter- “Be The Man”
Be The Man 