And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you (all your enemies). Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. (Joshua 3:10-17)It is not likely that I would connect this event with Christian baptism, but one of my commentaries does. The link is in the details. Baptism enters believers into a covenant with God by a declaration to be dead to the world and alive to serve Him. For most, it is a turning point and a change of focus. Those who are baptized enter into a life of both blessing and warfare. At the same time, those who believe but do not take this first step seem to remain in wandering.
The commentary says baptism introduces us into new obligations and entitles us to claim the aid of God in our conflict with evil. In other words, it is the starting-point of our sanctification and this is God's work. He alone parts the waters for us to cross from the world into His kingdom. That world can drown all human effort, but declaring our faith enables us to have success in our war against our own and God’s enemies.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)This does not mean baptism gives us anything. This power is from Jesus Christ alone, not our actions apart from faith. Also note that before this event, the people were guided by a pillar of fire and a cloud. Now they would be guided by the Ark of the Covenant. The Law was dark and uncertain in them but faith in a coming Messiah gave light. Now our guide is the person of Jesus Christ, a “better hope.” (Hebrews 12:18-24) The humanity of Jesus reveals the One who is unseen and we can follow Him as we enter into His promises and experience His presence.
Crossing the Jordon when it was overflowing magnifies God's glory and my inability. He is like that — powerful to be with me when I need Him most. Yesterday’s sermon was one of those times. I’ve felt so inadequate in several areas and the preacher pointed to each one and to the adequacy of Jesus Christ and His powerful ability to deal with my enemies, such as fear and hopelessness. What joy to know that He knows just what I need.
The times of trouble are the times when He manifests His power. It is then that He makes His will most “plain before my face.” Both Churches and individuals are apt in their prosperity to say, “I shall never be removed.” But in adversity I run to God in humility, and He makes me a way through the deep waters. “The swellings of Jordan” abate at His presence. “The overflowings of ungodliness” are defeated by His word. When He speaks, sorrow and distress flee away. When I am grieved at life’s events, He makes “straight paths for my feet” to overcome my disappointments and despair.
Thank You, Jesus.
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