Down At The River

The river Jordan runs through Israel with twists and turns and can easily be crossed during the dry season. However, I heard in a sermon once that some parts of the river could grow to be almost a mile wide when it did rain. The Rio Grande River that sits between Texas and Mexico has similar traits.

And like the Rio Grande, the Jordan River serves as a border. In fact, the border to the promise land. According to In The Footsteps of Jesus, by W.E. Pax, this is what made the Jordan River stand out in importance above other rivers in the land.

But in the book A Visual Guide To Bible Events, by Martin, Beck, and Hansen, the writers showed that there were three significant events in Israel's past that made the Jordan and the place known as 'Bethany on the other side of the Jordan' (located about four and a half miles north of the Dead Sea and east of the Jordan) a particularly special place to baptize.

The first one came before the nation crossed over to the Promise Land. Balaam (Numbers 24) who had been asked to speak curses over the Israelites ended up speaking blessings and prophetic words. He announced the coming of the one who would crush the enemies of Israel.

Which was followed by Moses turning over his leadership of the nation of Israel to Joshua. God commissioned Joshua through Moses in this very area. (Deut. 31:14, 34:9; Numbers 27:23)

Later in 2Kings 2 we read that Elisha followed Elijah across the Jordan River, watched him be carried off to heaven in a chariot of fire led by horses of fire via a whirlwind which caused Elijah's cloak to fall thus resulting in Elisha inheriting the cloak. His commission, so to speak.

This is important because it was later that Malachi spoke of a new Elijah coming before the Messiah's arrival. (Mal 4:5) Jesus pointed out that John the Baptizer was this new Elijah in Matthew 11 and 17.

So it was. God had a purpose for this spot. There was significance for the baptism of Jesus in this place. What a perfect location to begin His ministry, to receive His commission to do the work He was sent to do, of opening the eyes of His people to the truths of the Kingdom of Heaven and the God they serve, of laying down His life so that all of us could join Him in heaven one day.