Christ in the Old Testament

Christ in the Old Testament

Joshua 3:1–3, 7–8, 13–17 (ESV) — “And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”

Meditation

The crossing of the Jordan is a clear and richly layered type of Christ. Joshua himself bears the name Yehoshua—“The LORD saves”—the same name borne fully and finally by Jesus. As Joshua leads Israel through the waters into the promised inheritance, Christ leads His people through death into life. At the center stands the Ark of the Covenant, which does not merely symbolize God’s presence but bears His throne, His mercy seat, and His Name. The Ark goes first into the Jordan and stands firm while the people pass through safely. In this, the Ark functions as a type of Christ Himself, who enters the waters ahead of His people, halting the flood of judgment. The river is stopped upstream, and Israel passes through on dry ground, just as death itself is arrested by Christ’s obedience. This scene finds its fulfillment in Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, where He steps into the waters not to be cleansed, but to sanctify them. As Israel followed Joshua through the Jordan, so the Church follows Christ through the waters of Baptism, passing from wilderness to promise, from death to life.

Devotion

Christ does not command us to cross where He has not gone Himself. He stands in the waters for us. He bears the judgment so we may pass through safely. In Baptism, the Jordan is opened, the way is made, and the inheritance is sure.

New Testament Verse

Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV) — “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him… and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”

Collect

Almighty God, who led Your people through the Jordan by Joshua and made a way where none seemed possible, grant that we, following Christ our true Joshua, may pass through the waters of Baptism into newness of life, trusting not in ourselves but in Him who stood in the flood for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn Verse

To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord,

To do His Father’s pleasure;

Baptized by John, the Father’s Word

Was given us to treasure.

This heav’nly washing now shall be

A cleansing from transgression

And by His blood and agony

Release from death’s oppression.

A new life now awaits the soul.

— LSB 406:1, To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever, Unto the Ages of Ages, AMEN!