First United Methodist Church

Lockport, Illinois

WE ARE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PROVIDING:

So that you may know the way you should go

Joshua3:1-7, 13

1-29-12

Whenever I read the miracle narratives in the bible, I am amazed at what Jesus said to those who were healed miraculously after he performed the miracles: “You faith has made you well.” He did not say “I healed you.” Jesus recognized the total trust they had in him when they came to him. Today’s scripture is another example of the total faith God’s people demonstrated.

God’s people in the scripture were about to claim the long promised land of Canaan. But there was mighty water in the way: the river Jordan. God told them to consecrate themselves and follow wherever the Ark of the Covenant led them. They were to fix their gaze at the ark and follow. The priests who carry the ark were walking into the river despite the danger of being drowned. But they did in order to follow God’s command to cross the river.

When the feet of the priests who carried the ark dipped into the water, the water cut off. The river parted and people could cross it safely. It is a tremendous faith in God they demonstrated. I am sure Jesus would say to them, “Your faith has made you well.”

Like God’s people in today’s scripture we have River Jordan of our own. Anything that made us doubt the promise of God is the Jordan God wants us to cross the Jordan. Just like the people of Israel fixed their gaze at the ark and followed wherever it led, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus and follow.