This lesson appears in the book: The Holy Land Companion Guide Biblical Sermons & Lessons to guide you through the Holy Land and Egypt. By: Pastor and Christian Author Jessica Linhart available @ Amazon.com: Jessica Linhart: books, biography, latest update
People want to be baptized in the Jordan River, because it is rich in biblical history. Now, there are some extremists that believe that the Jordan river has healing properties, but this is really not true. You really are no closer to God by getting baptized in the Jordan river or a baptistery and a church. Baptism is done and has meaning when you are directed to be baptized by the Holy Ghost. Many people believe that you have to be baptized in order to go to heaven, but some people believe that it is just an outward showing of what has already taken place in a Christian life. It matters not to this Pastor and author what you believe, but it matters what is written in scripture. The Holy Ghost is here to explain to us different events that occurred in and around the waters. So, say a quick prayer for understanding, put your thinking cap on, and get ready to learn and grow closer to God.
The Jordan river appears in scripture at least 180 times. No! We are not going to study all 180 times, that we are going to fit a few of the highlights the Holy Spirit pointed out to me this week.
So the Jordan river flows north to south starting at Mount Hermon and eons in the dead sea. It provides a third of the water source for Iranians today.
Along the Jordan river was where lot chose to reside.
Will find this in genesis 13:10. This scripture reads as follows:
Genesis 13:10 (KJV) And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
We need to also make a note here that this was before the lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So, today it looks quite different. But the Israelites camped alongside the Jordan river along Jericho.
And Joshua 3:13 we find proof that the Israelites camped along the Jordan, before going into the promised land. That scripture reads as follows:
“13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.”
This was the story, or the happening of where the priest went down with the arch and stepped into the Jordan. When the priest stepped into the Jordan river, it was an active faith and God did as promised. (This was Joshua 3:13)
God parted the Jordan river. Scripture tells us that the water, jammed from the mountain; while, on the other side, of the Jordan River must have continued to flow.
Joshua 3:17 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.
A side note:
The terms Hebrews and Israelites usually describe the same people, stating that they were called Hebrews before the conquest of the Land of Canaan and Israelites afterwards. Do you know what the word Hebrew translates to in English? Well, I didn’t either and the Holy Ghost led me to the meaning. Hebrew actually means to crossover. That’s very interesting! The Israelites wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, before crossing over Jordan into the promise land. Another example is that when we come from dark into the light we crossed over. When we were against God, we crossed over to The winning side. In other words, when we once were sinners; then we gave our hearts to the Lord, and we crossed over; to be new believers. Therefore, we are Hebrews Inwardly.
Now, in 2 Kings, you might remember what happened at the Jordan river? You’re right! Naman was cured of leprosy, but he had to obey God‘s command.
Let’s read this together!
2 Kings 5:11- 12 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
In 2 Kings 5:1-19, Naaman was sent to Elisha, a mighty prophet of God in Israel to be supernaturally healed. Instead of Elisha coming to the door to greet Naaman, he sent a messenger to him saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you shall be clean.”
Naman thought his ideas were better than God’s. Oh, we think the same thing! But if we want our healing, we must come through Jesus Christ first. Then, we must obey His orders. God has promises, but those promises have stipulations. Naman thought that Damascus had better water, then Jordan ; so, he dipped in the good water first. As a result, nothing happened. His servants and friends begged him to go and do what God commanded.
Sometimes, we need our friends to tell us what we’re in error too. It’s good to have good godly counsel, a good, godly inner circle friends. It’s when we don’t we are influenced by others and we mess up. Sometimes, our friends are our way of escape and sometimes they’re our way and escape into snares.
You might recall another miracle that happened in the Jordan. The Holy Ghost wants me to make mention of the acts head that floated! You know, that an ax does not float. It will sink. Let’s read that scripture together!
Turn with me in your Bibles to 2 Kings 6:4-5.
2 Kings 6:4-5 (King James Version) 4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
So, we see that some men were out chopping wood together. Making money to provide for their families. And the axhead slips off the ax and sinks in the Jordan River. This would be a little predicament. We don’t know how far they are away from home; therefore, we don’t know how long would them to get another exit. God knows the situation. We don’t have to!
So, Elijah ask him where did you say the van, he takes a stick, cast in a stick, and God makes iron float. I’m sure there was some celebration, and some praising of the Lord.
2 Kings 6:6 — The New International Version (NIV)
6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.
We also know from scripture that John the Baptist baptized right along the Jordan river. If you would click on your phone and find Matthew chapter 3 look down to about verse six will start there!
John, the Baptist also had the honor of baptizing Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:13.
Matthew 3:13-17 (King James Version) 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Let’s do one more Jordan River experience in Scripture! Did you know the disciples of Jesus also baptized in the Jordan river? The Bible records, this in the book of John.
John 4:1 (King James Version) “4 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
John the Baptist was attracting attention from the Pharisees and the ministry of Jesus proved to do the same. The attention from the Pharisees was not good, and caused confrontation and friction. However, this point in Jesus’s ministry was too early for crucifixion; so, Jesus chose to move along The Sea Galilee. (remember, that the Jordan river also flows through the sea of Galilee before ending in the Dead Sea.)
Since were discussing geography, Jesus set his route to go through Samaria. Other Jews would have not chose to go through Samaria, because the Samaritans were seen as dogs. They would’ve taken a longer route, but Jesus was about his father‘s business, and he had a meeting with a woman at the well next.
Sometimes, God’s directions do not make sense to us, but we must do them exactly as he instructs. Sometimes we even have to go out of our way to help others, because they need to see Jesus. Because they need to have an encounter with the king. Remember, scripture tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22)
Lastly, the Holy Spirit wants us to consecrate on the living water; since, we are studying about the Jordan River. The Iranians live near the Jordan River today, and it is their main source of substance. The Israelites and the Iranians were desert people. When Jesus said that he is the living water, they completely understood its meaning. Without the living water, there is no hope and there is no life whatsoever. We cannot live without Jesus, just like we cannot live without water.
According to John 7 Jesus announces the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
John 7:37-39 (New International Version) 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
“Rivers of living water” represent the Holy Spirit’s presence and power poured out on Jesus’ followers. The Spirit’s presence points to his sanctifying work in the hearts of his children.
Helping us to live for God is what the Spirit’s “sanctifying work” is all about. Sanctification is the moment-by-moment process by which we more and more submit our hearts, minds, and bodies to following Jesus.
Remember, people are watching what we say, and what we do. Sometimes, we are the only Bible people see. The unsaved need an encounter with the Lord. No matter what is going on in their life, or where they are from, Jesus loves them and wants them to be in the kingdom of God. Let’s continue to be the light of the world and not a stumbling block for people.
Discussion questions about crossing the Jordan river:
Who led the Israelites to the Jordan River?
What remind the people that God was with them?
Did God’s people have to swim across the Jordan River?
Why did God tell the people to pick up 12 stones from the middle of the river?
How can we glorify God?
What did God want the tribes of Israel to do in order to commemorate this historical event?
What does the word Hebrew mean?
God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and to obey His commands. What commands do Christians need strength and courage to do today?
Who makes it possible for us to live for the Lord?
Why is holiness important today?
