2 Chronicles 30:6-20
At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read:
“People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. 8 Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the LORD. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. 9 If you return to the LORD, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
10 The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but people scorned and ridiculed them. 11 Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. 12 Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD...
18 Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who sets their heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” 20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
An attitude of mercy can be an incredible thing when wielded by a heart turned to God. Hezekiah sent couriers out to invite everyone - EVERYONE - to come and celebrate Passover.
There were those who mocked the couriers, but there were many who came. The nation(s) of Israel were divided and idolatrous and for some the invitations to turn back to the Lord fell on deaf ears...some, but not all.
Of those who came to celebrate most had not been ceremonially purified - normally a big "no no" but in this situation Hezekiah just wanted the people to turn back to God. They were "unclean" - the whole nation was a mess politically and even more so spiritually - but the point was to come back to God. Hezekiah prayed, ""May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone 19 who sets their heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” 20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people."
Believers can be so judgemental, especially of those who have fallen off track or are not yet believers. Judging non-believers is pretty irrational and totally unbiblical. Irrational because no one is going to come to a church if they feel eyes glaring at them or hear condescending remarks, and why would an non-believer have to live or think like a believer. The expectation is ridiculous. Unbiblical, well just read - Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37, 1 Corinthians 5:12 - there are more.
Here Hezekiah recognized what was important. The people were coming back to God. They had "set their hearts on seeking God". These people who knew better or should have (they were Israelites), received mercy from the king as well as from GOD.
When new people come to our church or people who have fallen away from the faith return for a visit (a very brave thing in some churches) welcome them with love and sincerity of heart. Don't be foolish enough to think that you are so far ahead of the game. First, not one of us would be in relationship with Christ if not for His amazing grace and infinite mercy. We all at one point were "nonbelievers" and we all still sin. Even if you were 3yrs old when you decided to follow Jesus you are still just a sinner saved by grace. Second, it only takes a moment for someone - anyone to fall flat on their face, but it can take a lifetime to get back up again. We should be the steady hand that reaches out to help them stand back up.
Hezekiah presented an opportunity for Israel to turn back to their Lord. He didn't waste time on the people who didn't respond - not even to wag a finger. He stood as a mediator of sorts for the people did come back, to God. Jesus does this for us 1 Timothy 2:5.
So here is a question. Are you willing to embrace the lost as you were embraced? Are you willing to have tea with the believer who turned back? Are you willing to stand in the gap? Start by shaking a hand and smiling instead of turning a cold shoulder. Start by saying a sincere "Hello" instead of looking a person up and down in judgement. Start by loving others. Start by bowing your heads and bending your knees instead of turning your nose up. Start somewhere - Israel did and God blessed them.
Sometimes it is easy (especially for those of us who grew up under the sheltered care of the church) to be "shocked" by people we encounter (insert mind picture of older lady in a frilly pink dress and wide brimmed hat fanning herself and fainting being caught by a man with an equally bad suit and comb over). We shouldn't be. If we truly understood the saving grace - the SAVING grace of Christ we would more truly understand "There but for the grace of God go I". If Jesus is in you, His love and grace is in you too. It just gets hidden a bit sometimes by our own stereotypes, insecurities and self righteousness. Let His light shine and you'll be amazed at the increased frequency of smiles that come your way - including the one flashing back at your from the mirror. Who knows you might just start a trend.
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