The Jordan River is approximately 156 miles long, flowing north to south thru the Sea of Galilee, eventually draining into the Dead Sea. The river is mentioned some 200 times in the Bible. Many of those references are connected with miracles and healings. John the Baptist taught on the banks of this river and baptized Jesus Christ in its waters. Naaman, a Syrian captain, was healed of leprosy by dipping several times in the river. The Israelites miraculously crossed over the Jordan River on dry ground to enter Canaan, the land promised to them by God. The river was a barrier between slavery and freedom for the Israelites who made the difficult journey from slavery in Egypt to the banks of the Jordan River. That barrier became a symbol of freedom as they walked thru the river on dry ground to The Promised Land. The Jordan River is also symbolic of completeness and death, crossing from life into Heaven.
In 2 Kings 2 we read the last details of Elijah’s life before being taken to Heaven in a whirlwind. His protege, Elisha, confidently followed his teacher on his last journey. Elijah told him on three different occasions to “tarry here”, meaning “stay here, do not go any further with me.” Each time Elisha replied “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” They eventually came to the Jordan River, Elijah held out his mantle, the river parted, and the two men of God crossed over the Jordan on dry ground. For Elijah, the river symbolized the completeness of his ministry, as well as crossing over into Paradise, as he would soon be “air lifted” to Heaven. For Elisha, the river was symbolic of embracing God’s will for his life. As he “crossed over”, he became Elijah’s replacement and received a double portion of the “Spirit of God.” The Bible records that God ultimately performed twice as many miracles thru Elisha as He did Elijah. Had Elisha stayed on the wilderness side of the Jordan, he would have never seen those miracles, his life would have been vastly different, and countless others may have missed the blessings that God performed thru him.
How about you? What barriers are in your life that hinder you from spiritual freedom, from completeness, from fulfilling God’s purposes in your life? Is it a relationship barrier? A barrier of addiction and sin? A fear of failure barrier? Don’t delay, staying where you are, missing God’s blessings in your life, and the work He wants to do thru you to others! “Cross over,” and experience the freedom and the power of God in your life! Step out of your comfort zone today, and cross your “Jordan River!”
“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5).
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).