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On Jordan’s Bank. River Jordan is most famous on earth. Unlike the Mississippi, doesn’t owe its fame to its great length. Distance from its source to its mouth in a straight line is only about 100 miles. River Jordan is most famous on earth.
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River Jordan is most famous on earth Unlike the Mississippi, doesn’t owe its fame to its great length Distance from its source to its mouth in a straight line is only about 100 miles
River Jordan is most famous on earth Unlike the Mississippi, doesn’t owe its fame to its great length Distance from its source to its mouth in a straight line is only about 100 miles Unlike the Tiber, the Seine or the Thames, its fame cannot be attributed to the building of some great city on its banks, for none ever were
Unlike the Nile, it does not owe its fame to the fact that its annual overflow makes fertile a barren land No boat for commercial purposes has ever floated on its waters Its entire course channels through a valley varying in width from 4 to 14 miles, bordered by mountains on either side ranging from 1500 to 3000 feet in height
Where it enters the Dead Sea at its mouth, the Jordan River valley is the lowest land on the face of the earth (1300’ below sea level) The Jordan River itself varies from 90-100 feet in width and from 3-10 feet in depth None of these characteristics gives it its fame
What makes the Jordan the most famous river on earth? The Biblical events connected with it We can see at least five matters associated with the banks of the Jordan
On Jordan’s Bank We See Moses Facing Chastisement
And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. Numbers 20:11, 12
And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware
unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. Deuteronomy 34:1-4
Moses had led the children of Israel to this point but, because of his actions in striking the rock at Kadesh, was not allowed to go with them into the promised land From Mt. Nebo he was given a view of the land, died and was buried by God Moses received punishment for his violation of God’s will on the banks of the Jordan River
To most, this seems like a minor matter Many live their lives completely oblivious to the will of God Many think it doesn’t matter how we worship, what we believe or how we conduct our lives This episode in the life of Moses serves to remind us that such things matter to God
When God speaks about a matter that makes it important to man When God does not authorize an action that makes it applicable to man On Jordan’s bank we see Moses Facing Chastisement
On Jordan’s Bank We See Joshua Facing Challenges
When the 30-day period of mourning for Moses was complete, Israel’s new leader, Joshua, was given the command to prepare to cross the Jordan
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Joshua 1:2
When the 30-day period of mourning for Moses was complete, Israel’s new leader, Joshua, was given the command to prepare to cross the Jordan Not only was the task monumental because of the sheer number of people, but also because the Jordan was at flood stage
And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) Joshua 3:15
The Jordan (which falls nearly 700’ in 60 miles) flows swiftly when it is low, but becomes a terrific force when at flood stage By the power of God they passed over on dry ground
That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. Joshua 3:16, 17
The Jordan (which falls nearly 700’ in 60 miles) flows swiftly when it is low, but becomes a terrific force when at flood stage By the power of God they passed over on dry ground God demonstrated to the people that He was with Joshua just as He had been with Moses
And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. Joshua 3:7
A God that created the universe from nothing would certainly not be stopped by a puny flooded river! Like Joshua, we face “flooded Jordans” in our lives We must overcome the obstacles and accept the challenges if we are to inherit the promised land
The challenge of obeying the gospel The challenge of remaining faithful The challenge of defeating “the wiles of the devil” The challenge of finding a mate that will help you get to heaven The challenge of leading your children to the faith and to faithful service
The challenge of teaching the world and saving the lost The challenge of giving as we have prospered in the most prosperous land ever known The challenge of building up the church On Jordan’s bank we see Joshua Facing Challenges
On Jordan’s Bank We See John Facing Contempt
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Matthew 3:5-7
This would be just the beginning for the Pharisees and Sadducees in their attempts to cast doubt on God’s plan Often they would stand opposed to Jesus and His work They were bitter enemies of each other and stood together only when it was politically expedient to do so
John likened them to “vipers,” extremely poisonous snakes that could inflict painful and fatal bites These sects injected the venom of their false teachings into the society of that day They had long elevated their own ideas, philosophies and traditions above the teachings of God
The Lord would meet their challenges head-on during His personal ministry on earth Sadly, the “generation of vipers” did not die out then Many are the number today who, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, seek to elevate the doctrines of men above the doctrine of Christ
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:7-9
If we stand for truth we, too, will face the contempt of our contemporaries We should rejoice when bad things are said of us when we are standing for truth
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
If we stand for truth we, too, will face the contempt of our contemporaries We should rejoice when bad things are said of us when we are standing for truth On the bank of the Jordan we see John Facing Contempt
On Jordan’s Bank We See Jesus Facing a Commandment
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:13-15
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. Mark 1:9
The baptism of Jesus was certainly unique Little wonder that John hesitated in baptizing Him since his baptism was based on repentance and “for the remission of sins”
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4
The baptism of Jesus was certainly unique Little wonder that John hesitated in baptizing Him since his baptism was based on repentance and “for the remission of sins” Many have turned to the Lord’s baptism to determine that baptism is not essential to salvation, since Jesus was baptized, yet had no sins
Interestingly, most of these same ones maintain that baptism is “because sins have already been remitted” The baptism of Jesus could no more be “because of” remission than it could be “in order to obtain” remission His baptism was unique in that it had no relation to sin remission
However, all others who came to John were baptized “for [in order to obtain] the remission of sins,” just as those Scripturally baptized into Christ are baptized “for [in order to obtain] the remission of sins”
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
However, all others who came to John were baptized “for [in order to obtain] the remission of sins,” just as those Scripturally baptized into Christ are baptized “for [in order to obtain] the remission of sins” Jesus later asked the chief priests and elders a question regarding John’s baptism
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. Matthew 21:25-27
How would it have appeared on this occasion if Jesus had failed to obey this command from heaven? These men would simply have asked, “Why didn’t you obey John, if his baptism was from heaven?” Thus, Jesus obeyed this command in order to fulfill all righteousness
