Today's readings are Joshua 3.1-17 and Acts 9.1-22.
As the people of Israel prepare to enter the promised land, across the Jordan River near Jericho, their marching orders are very important. They are not to go ahead or even very near to the ark of God. Rather, they are to follow it, and follow it by a substantial distance, about two-thirds of a mile. Joshua gives a reason,: "Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before" (Joshua 3.5, ESV).
Let's reflect on that a little. Like Israel, we do not know the way we will go, what we will do, how we ought to face the struggles before us in our day. Like Israel, we see that our God is going before us. There is no challenge we will face that Jesus has not already faced. There is no temptation to sin that our Lord has not triumphed over. There is no discouragement our Lord has not felt. There is no physical suffering that our Lord does not know. There is nothing we will face that Jesus has not already faced. And we see throughout the New Testament that he did it voluntarily and for us. We see the passing of the ark through the water, a symbol of death and burial. We see that the ark and the people of Israel pass through the Jordan river between walls of water. Death and burial do not touch those who believe. Likewise we can look to Jesus and see that he has faced death and the grave, rising triumphantly, just as the ark reached the other side of the Jordan and went up the bank. The people of Israel pass through death and rise victorious. We too will rise victorious. Death no longer has dominion over us. Finally, we notice that God is promising the Israelites entrance into a place of rest. Our Lord also promises those who believe in the finished work of Christ a place of rest, the presence of the Lord in heaven.
Let us rejoice and be glad! Let us look to our Lord who has gone before us. Let us long for that protection he has provided. Let us trust that he actually does know the way. He leads us. He has accomplished everything necessary for our life. We need only look to him, following him along the path he has cleared for us.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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