DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

Joshua 3:7-8, 15-17         (01/12)         Fourth Reading at the Vigil of the Feast of Theophany

 

Types of Baptism ~ Entering the Land: Joshua 3:7-8, 15-17, especially vs. 17: “So the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all the children of Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the people crossed the Jordan.”  What a contrast between the crossing of the Jordan and the earlier escape through the Red Sea!  The two events were markedly different.  At Jordan, Joshua led the people instead of Moses.  Ancient Israel was not fleeing now, but advancing to receive a land promised as an inheritance for them.  They came to the shores of Jordan with neither fear nor threat driving them.  They came with expectation, a free people, not fugitive slaves, stepping into a dry watercourse.  This was not a fleeing mob, but an army with divisions, leaders, chain of command - a seasoned force.

Look upon your Baptism through the lens of this triumphant crossing of the Jordan.  Learn from our ancient forefathers in the Spirit to press forward toward the goal that God has made available, and advance toward the land - the Kingdom He has set before us.  Reflect on the example of ancient Israel as a reminder that we depend wholly on the power of our Joshua - the One Who Saves - for Jesus is with us to restrain the floods of life.  Finally, may this crossing of the ancient People of God keep you and me ever mindful of the need to maintain our place within the ranks of the Saints, so that we, with all the Faithful, may pass over dry shod.

“...all the children of Israel crossed on dry ground...” (vs. 17).  Note how this happened: God directed Joshua to have the priests march forward.  They lifted the Ark of the Covenant, stepped into the rushing waters of Jordan - up well over its banks (vs. 15); and they never hesitated to obey.  How readily the flesh wants to hold back when there is objective evidence of threatening floods and events!  Man’s logic screams not to go forward against insurmountable obstacles, to settle for second best, and to forgo our claim on the “heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1).

How tragic to let the “...persuasive words of human wisdom...” (1 Cor. 2:4) defeat us!  We are Baptized into Him Who rose from the dead.  We are united to Him Who stilled the raging of wind and waves.  Never define defeat, loss, or shame in this world’s terms.  Step into difficulties, knowing that God commands us to go forward - for God is with us!

It may not be evident in the English of this account that the son of Nun, Joshua, is the name that was given to our Lord Jesus Christ by angelic command (Mt. 1:21; Lk. 1:31).  Joshua transliterates from Hebrew into English as Yehoshua, the unspoken Divine Name, plus saves.  In Greek, the name transliterates as Iesous from an Aramaic contraction.  In turn, the Greek comes into English as Jesus. The son of Nun and the son of the Theotokos have the same name in Hebrew!  The meaning of the name is God saves - or, in short, Savior.

How is it that in Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition God can urge us, as Baptized members of Christ, to step without hesitation into improbable circumstances in this life?  It is simply because He knows that we cannot be defeated in Him except by sin, fear, or despair.  As God said to Joshua, “Today I shall begin to exalt you in the sight of all the children of Israel...” (Jos. 3:7).  The world may call us losers, stupid, narrow-minded, but in Baptism God promises to exalt us in Christ our God before the Angels, the Church, on earth and in heaven, and all the world.  Baptism is beginning; let us advance that God may save us through Yeshua our Savior.

Finally, always remember that “...all the children of Israel...” crossed.  Yielding to worldly wisdom breaks ranks and weakens resolve - mine, yours and others. 

“The Church is revealed to all as a brilliantly lit heaven, leading the Faithful in the way of light.  Standing therein, we cry: Make firm the foundation of this Thy household, O Lord!”

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