The Crossing of the Jordan
Chapter 3:15-17
When Israel crossed the Red Sea, the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left. But in the Jordan there was no water; there was nothing to be afraid of. The moment the feet of the priests carrying the ark of God touched the brim of the river, the waters all dried up-Jordan’s swift stream-type of death-rolled back and rose upon a heap, very far away by the city of Adam.
The name, Adam, reminds us that it was through the first Man that sin came into the world, and death by sin. But now at the Jordan, when the Ark, type of Christ, enters its waters, the rapid stream of death is turned back. Through Adam came death; but in the very place where sin reigned unto death, life has come through Jesus. Grace now reigns “through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21).)
“What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?” Psa. 114:55What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? (Psalm 114:5). Israel did not see those waters-the power of God was there, and the people, young and old, weak and strong, passed over into the land of promise.
How wonderful for us the lesson of the Jordan! Here we have resurrection power out of death. The Lord has passed through death and entered into heaven, and God by His power has brought His saints in Christ to where He is.
The Lord Jesus went down into death, but God has raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand, above all principality, and power and dominion—far above all heavens that He might fill all things.
“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan,... until all the people were passed clean over.” All the people went over in the strength of the ark, and so it is by the power of God in Christ that we enter into the heavenly places. Christ stood firm for His people, and we are secure in His strength. Every single believer is blessed alike with the heavenly privileges-the least of all saints and the weakest believer. Canaan is for all, and all in Christ are there, because of the power of that love which stood firm in death until all His own had passed over. Well might we repeat: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)). And blessed be the name of His dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. “To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” (Rev. 1:66And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6).)
ML-04/17/1977