May 17, 2014

Crossing the Jordan

The Fine Art of Opening up a Video Chat

• Discussion Starter– What are Memorial Stones for?

– What are Souvenirs?

– What is the difference?

Finding Pearls

• Moses & Joshua– Joshua 3

• Elijah & Elisha– 2 Kings 2

• John the Baptist & Jesus– Matthew 3

•

Stringing Pearls

• Putting them all together– What is the same in all of these?– Is there a different message in each one?– Is there a common message in all three?– Do these messages apply to us today?– Do they apply to YOU today?

•

On your own (or if we have time)

• :• Baptizing Rituals

– History and Purpose– Why would Jesus need to get baptized?

Discussion Starter

– What are Memorial Stones for?

– Examples in the bible?

– Examples in the world?

Lewis & Clark

Explorers

Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States

– What are Souvenirs?• Popular examples

– What is the difference?

Moses & Joshua

• Joshua 3• Moses – leader replaced by Joshua• Water stopped flowing so the people could

cross (first the Red Sea, now the Jordan)• First Generation, Current generation

Memorial Souvenir

• Put 12 stones in the middle of the river• Took 12 stones OUT of the river and took

them to the other side

FINALLY. . .

• From wandering in the wilderness to the Promised Land

• 40 years later.

Pearls

• Same phrases, Same word• Same date on the calendar• Same location• Same people• Compare, contrast.• Turn it, turn it, and turn it again.• Chew on it – Meditate.

Passing the Mantle

2 King 2Passing the mantle

Crossed Jordan RiverParted the Waters

Twice

Memorial Souvenir

John the Baptizer/Jesus

• Matthew 3• John the Baptist/Jesus• Where? Bethany across

The Jordan• Souvenir?•

George dunked in Jordan River water

Three-month-old Prince George is baptized by the half-Jewish Archbishop of Canterbury with water from the Land of Israel

Stringing Pearls

• Putting them all together– What is the same in all of these?– Is there a different message in each one?– Is there a common message in all three?– Do these messages apply to us today?– Do they apply to YOU today?

•

Purpose & History of Baptism

• Purity for worship– Everyone, especially priests

• Women’s monthly menstruation• After being sick or contaiminated (again

for worship sake)• Conversion to jewish religion (the century

before Jesus)

When did it become about conversion?

• Hillel & Shammai – debates about which were more important – circumcision or baptism.

• Hillel won.• Maimonides (12th century) – Talmud

Tradition summary

Maimonides

• . . .uncleanness is not mud or filth which water can remove, but it is a matter of scriptural decree and dependent on the intention of the heart.

His summary of Talmudic tradition regarding the tradition and commandments about mikveh

John’s Baptism (and it’s Message)

• Water symbolized cleansing and consecration• Very Jewish• Very ancient

• NOT a new concept

John’s Message

• Similar to other prophets–Israel must repent–Be spiritually renewed–The coming of the Messiah was at

hand.

The Baptism of Jesus

• Not a woman . . . • No need for repentance . . •  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so

now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

• ??

Maybe because . . .

• Priests had to be cleansed.

• After all, Jesus is the High Priest.

Or even . ..• As an example? To show others – to remind others what

was already known – purity of the heart • God’s response -  And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he

went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

To Draw Attention to the Place?

• Jews already associated that place with Joshua and Elijah

• Identifying John the Baptist with Elijah. (Elijah has already come. . . )

To Draw Attention to the Date?

• Joshua – Nisan 10 – before the Passover.• Nisan 10 – when the Lambs are brought in• (what did John the Baptist call him??)

Stringing Pearls

• Putting them all together– What is the same in all of these?– Is there a different message in each one?– Is there a common message in all three?– Do these messages apply to us today?– Do they apply to YOU today?

•

Should I stay or should I go?

Stay in the desert

comfortable

predictable

still able to worship

Venture into the new land

Promise of greater things

Victory over struggles

Reliance on God

• Egypt – Slaves to Sin– Stones - Death & Burial Pyramids

• Desert (Across the Jordan) – No longer slaves to sin, trying to live as free people.– Stones – In the middle of the river, buried

• Promised Land - a place of surrender, still not free people but free from a live of sin and sadness. Serving another king.– Heart of Stone has been changed to heart of

flesh.

What stones have you buried?

What stones will you carry with you as a remembrance?