He Tasted Death for Us

The central element of the Jordan crossing is the Ark. Nothing happens without the Ark being involved and visible to the nation. The Ark was the representation of the presence of God amidst Israel. It is also the prefigured picture of Christ among His people. Consider the following facts that point to Christ.

The Ark was made of wood - representing Christ's humility and humanity.
The Ark was covered with gold - representing Christ's Kingship and Divinity.
The Ark contained the law - representing His ability to KEEP the law perfectly.
The Ark contained the manna - representing His ability to nourish His people in any season.
The Ark contained the budded rod of Aaron - representing the resurrection of Jesus.

And so fittingly, the people of Israel were to keep watch on every movement of the Ark during their Jordan crossing.

I have heard many messages that talk about how we need to be leaders of the people as the priests were in this episode. How we need to put our feet in before God does a miracle, how we need to be examples and take risks to see God act on our behalf. But when we consider the Ark as the prefigured representation of Christ among the people, those messages fall apart. Christ is the leader we all keep our eyes on. Christ is the one who led the way through the Jordan to the Nations.

Consider this passage:
Joshua 3:15 (ESV) and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest)

The word "flood" is significant. A flood can devastate a community and take many lives. Jesus is the true Ark who stepped foot in what could kill us - the "flood" of death - and as soon as He did, He scattered death away from us so that we could walk through death unharmed and into the promised land. In effect, when the priests stepped into the waters and the waters parted, the fear of death was destroyed in the hearts of God's people. 

Now for New Testament believers, we can say because Christ tasted death for us, we can be freed from the power fear of it can hold!

Hebrews 2:9 (ESV) we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Now Israel is commanded in Joshua 4 to make sure they remember this event. Here's what happens:

Joshua 4:2–3 (ESV) "Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’"

Joshua 4:5–7 (ESV) And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”

Joshua 4:20 (ESV) And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.

It is supremely important for the Nation to be reminded of what transpired in those waters. Should the forget that God was among them taking away the fear of death, they would never be bold to take the risks in holy war among the nations. 

So too, Christian, the fear of death is removed from you. Now you can fight the good fight of faith in spiritual warfare for the salvation of many from among all the nations. But you must remind yourself continually by tasting something different. We taste the body and blood of Jesus at the memorial table of communion. We remind ourselves that in this mission God is always with us and has given us the boldness to represent Him and press on no matter the obstacle in our way. 

Let us continue fighting and following the Lord Jesus into victory.