What does crossing the Jordan symbolize in our Christian walk? Joshua 1:11 in Focus “Go through the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan, to go in and possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’ ” What the River Meant to Israel • A literal, overflowing barrier (Joshua 3:15) • The last obstacle between wilderness wandering and promised inheritance (Deuteronomy 6:10–11) • A public moment of covenant faith: priests stepped in first, Ark in hand, waters parted, nation followed (Joshua 3:14–17) What Crossing the Jordan Pictures for Believers Today • Entering the blessings already secured in Christ – “He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3) – Israel owned Canaan by promise; believers own their riches in Christ by faith • Leaving the wilderness of self-reliance for a life led by the Spirit – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) • Dying to the old life, rising to newness of life – Water closed behind Israel; no return to Egypt’s slavery or Sinai’s wanderings – “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised… we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4) • Stepping into God’s rest by faith‐obedience – Canaan rest foreshadowed “a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:8-10) • Living in daily victory rather than mere deliverance – Red Sea: saved from judgment (Exodus 14) – Jordan: empowered to conquer strongholds (Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4) Key Parallels and Reinforcing Scriptures • Red Sea deliverance → initial salvation (Colossians 1:13) • Jordan crossing → possessing inheritance (Colossians 2:6-7) • Ark leading the way → Christ our forerunner (Hebrews 6:19-20) • Twelve memorial stones → remembering God’s faithfulness (Joshua 4:6-7; 1 Peter 2:5) Stepping Stones of Application 1. Prepare: Israel packed provisions; believers cultivate readiness through Word and prayer (Joshua 1:11; 2 Timothy 2:15) 2. Fix your eyes on the Ark: stay focused on Christ, not the flood (Joshua 3:3; Hebrews 12:2) 3. Step in while the river still rages: faith acts before circumstances change (Joshua 3:15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:7) 4. Stand firm in the middle: priests held their ground until all passed—persevere until victory is complete (Joshua 3:17; Ephesians 6:13) 5. Set up memorials: mark God’s interventions so future battles recall past faithfulness (Joshua 4:7; Psalm 77:11) Living on the Promised Side Crossing the Jordan is a call to move beyond mere survival Christianity into the fullness of God’s promises—walking in Spirit-powered obedience, enjoying covenant rest, and advancing in triumph under the leadership of our greater Joshua, Jesus Christ. |
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