“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river” (Joshua 3:8).
I can only imagine what that experience must have looked like and how those priests must have felt to take that first step into the flooded Jordan River. The Scripture says “as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away.” Was there a sound as the water piled in a heap? What does a “heap” of water look like anyway?
We are not told much about this miracle except that it happened and the whole nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground as the priests who carried the ark stood firm in the middle of the river on dry ground! God demonstrated His mighty power and the people obeyed. What might have happened if the priests had refused to take that first step? The nation would not have reached the promised land. The priests were to step out first and then to stand firm.
The Apostle Peter tells the early Christians and later Christians, as well. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). The saints of God, Christians, are a priesthood. Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). We live in a nation of lost people who are waiting for us to take that first step into the Jordan. I’m not sure what that first step might be, and it may be different for different people. We all know those who are lost without Jesus. Could it be they are watching and waiting for us to take that first step to show them the way? Are we willing to leave our comfort zone to show someone we care about their soul?
I was reminded as I read about the priests carrying the ark of the covenant into the Jordan River that they were carrying God’s law and the Seat of God’s very Presence. We, as Christians carry God’s word and the Holy Spirit within us. We are the priesthood that God uses today to bring the lost into the Kingdom. May we be found faithful!
God loves the lost so much He died for them. Am I willing to share that news with them?
Thank you for this inspiring post. Am I ready to see these opportunities? Am I ready to act in His Name? Many thanks for this post and encouragement.