God's Grace in Christ

7/1 Reading Portions: Joshua 3; Psalms 126-128; Isaiah 63; Matthew 11

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7/1 Reading Portions: Joshua 3; Psalms 126-128; Isaiah 63; Matthew 11

Joshua 3:17

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

ILLUSTRATIVE

Both the crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground and the crossing of the Jordan River are illustrative of the same thing— God’s grace in salvation. At the Red Sea in the days of Moses, almighty God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt and destroyed Pharaoh’s large army in the Red Sea; however, Israel’s escape was facilitated by God’s grace alone. A wall of water to the left and right flanked the children of Israel, and all they need do was to walk upon the dry ground via the Lord’s powerful and miraculous access. Likewise, was our deliverance from the bondage of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. All we needed to do was walk in faith by the access God provided— in the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and promised return of His only begotten Son. Now, as the Red Sea crossing provides us a picture of gracious deliverance from the penalty and bondage of sin, the Jordan River crossing presents us with a picture of gracious access into the gospel promises and gospel inheritance of Christ. It, too, is by God’s grace alone because it was completely purchased by the righteous life and perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing can be added to who Christ is and what He has done; and nothing can detract from His person and work. Christ’s gospel may be rejected or received. Nevertheless, nothing we can do, think, or say can make its truth more grand or less powerful. Moreover, since we believe in the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet 2:9; Rev 5:10), the priests bearing the ark in the midst of the Jordan represent Christ’s church— whereas we bear God’s mercy in Christ (the mercy seat) upon our shoulders; and as long as we stand upon God’s grace (firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan), the people of God have access to God’s gospel promises and allotted inheritance in Christ’s land, which is flowing with the milk of God’s Word and the revelation of its honey-sweet truth. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

God’s gospel grace in Jesus Christ
Is seen through many pictures;
It shores our faith and feeds our lives
From all we read in Scripture.