Lessons From the Jordan River

The Jordan River

I) Matthew 3.1‐5, 13‐17 The World’s Most Famous River

A) Famous but why?

1.Not for its great length, not like the Mississippi.

2. Not for its commercial activity (times the river is too dry and other times too swift for boats.

3. Not for its fertile plains like the Nile River, or its irrigation, or its great cities.

B) Yet the Jordan River is one of the most known rivers in the world.

II) Its Peculiar Physical Characteristics

A) Its Source of Water

1. Water is supplied by melting snow from Mount Hermon.

Streams flow "to the waters of Meron" (Joshua 11.5, 7) a lake

3 miles wide and 4 miles long but not very deep. It is 30 miles

from and on the same level as the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Jordan starts at the south end of Meron and flows 10 miles

to the lake of Galilee during which it declines 680 feet.

a. Of course the Sea of Galilee is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament.

B) Out of the southern end of Galilee it winds its way 65miles south to the Dead Sea.

1. It starts a few hundred feet above sea level and ends 1300 feet below Sea Level

2. The Jordan River valley is the lowest plain on the face of the globe.

3. The Jordan River is the lowest river on the earth

4. The Dead Sea is the lowest body of water being 2600 feet below sea level

C) If a canal was cut from the Mediterranean Sea to this area, the waters of the Mediterranean would flood the whole area.

1. The Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, and Jordan River would disappear.

2. These facts were not know until the 1800’s when an American Navy man by the name of Lynch

III) Events at The Jordan River

A) Moses at the Jordan River

1. He transgressed the law of God by striking the rock instead of just speaking to it, Numbers 20.11 .

As his punishment God told Moses to climb Mount Nebo, Deut. 32.49‐50

2. The Jordan River served to separate the wilderness from the promise land

3. Moses was allowed to look over and see the promise land but not actually enter in, Deut. 32.52

B) Israel Crossed through the Jordan River (Not around or over)

1. Joshua 1.11; 3.14‐15, 17 priest carried the ark down the steep slope and up the other side

2. This at the time of flooding, Joshua 3.15

a. Not by the power of nature; not by the ability of man; but only by God’s power

b. Explains why there was no army on the other side and why the people in Canaan feared Israel so much, Joshua 2.10‐11

C) Elijah and Elisha crossed through the Jordan River, 2 Kings 2.7‐8

1. His mantle means his outer garment

2. Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, vv. 11‐12

3. Elisha crossed over v. 14 the prophets searched for Elijah but his body was not found, v. 17

D) John the Baptist, Matthew 3.5‐6

1. Connected to Malachi 4.5‐6

2. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, Matthew 3.13, 16‐17

IV) Important Lessons from the Jordan River

A) Moses learned the importance of honoring God’s word. Numbers 20.12

1. A lot of people want to add to or take from God’s word. Moses could not do so.

2. When we change God’s word we show disrespect for God, do not hollow His name

B) Joshua saw God’s ability to deliver His people

1. The song "He is able to deliver Thee" expresses the confidence in

God’s ability to do all He said He would do and more. Expressed in Ephesians 3.20

C) Elijah found a place with God

1. Elijah and Enoch are two men that never saw death. Enoch was translated (Hebrews 11.5) and Elijah taken up by a whirlwind.

2. God sent another Elijah (John the Baptist) to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

D) Jesus showed obedience to the Father at the Jordan River

1. He was baptized not for the remission of sins but in obedience to God’s word

2. He humbled Himself

3. We are baptized for the remission of sins; into the body of Christ.

Are you willing to cross over the Jordan River today?

To find a place in God’s family, to hollow His word, and be delivered from sin.

**Based on a sermon by J.W. McGarvey

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