The Importance of WaterBecause Israel is such an arid country, water has always been important to its inhabitants. Many cities were built only where it was certain fresh water was available. When a city was small, a nearby spring, well, or cistern was sufficient. As a city grew, the community took steps to protect their water supply from threatening armies.

Hezekiah's TunnelDuring the late ninth or early eighth century BC, a new "water shaft" technique emerged. People dug channels to reach the water table and then directed the water to their city. During Hezekiah's reign, a tunnel system allowed water to flow from a spring outside of Jerusalem through the mountain ridge that the city was built upon.

The Water Tunnel of MegiddoSometime during the ninth century BC, the people of Megiddo dug a square vertical shaft more than 115 feet deep that connected with a horizontal tunnel. This tunnel traveled nearly 220 feet underneath the city to a cave in which the city's water source was located.

One crew began digging in the cave, and the other at the bottom of the shaft inside the city. Amazingly, the builders were able to meet in the middle, accomplishing one of the engineering wonders of the world!

The cave was then sealed from the outside, securing the water supply from enemy attack. Every day women went down steps that wound around the shaft's walls, walked through the tunnel, and retrieved water from the spring.

The water system of Hazor dates to approximately the same time as that of Megiddo but is different in one respect. The Israelites sunk a shaft nearly 100 feet through the tel. But instead of building a tunnel to a water source outside the city, they built a stepped passageway that led 75 feet farther down into the bedrock below the city. Here the ancient engineers found the water table and fresh water within the city's walls. ' 

The people of the city descended into the shaft on stairs around the outside (probably without railings), some of which can be seen today on the far side of the shaft, worn smooth by the feet of thousands of nameless Israelites. If the stairs were wet, drawing water probably became a dangerous task, and one wonders how many injuries or fatalities occurred as a result.' The rock walls above kept the walls of the shaft from collapsing into the tunnel below.

Once within the walls of ancient Jerusalem, the Western Hill was located at the southwest corner of the city. This hill is very sacred to the Jewish people because it is the traditional spot of David's tomb. The upper room where Jesus ate the last supper is found here as well (Luke 22:1-38).

The Jordan

The Jordan River, mentioned nearly 200 times in the Text, is one of the fastest flowing rivers of its size.

As a prominent feature in ancient Israel, the Jordan River was mentioned nearly 200 times in the bible. Its fast flowing waters created a natural barrier between Canaan and the lands to the east. At times, it also served as a line of protection when God's prophets and kings were being pursued.

Beginning at the foot of Mount Hermon, the Jordan travels about twenty-five miles before emptying into the Sea of Galilee. It continues to flow from the southern end of the Sea and winds its way to the Dead Sea, about sixty-five miles away. The famous river is surprisingly narrow%u2014only fifty to seventy-five feet wide in most places.

The Jordan's name was derived from words meaning "to descend" or "go down." The river drops significantly in elevation%u2014Mount Hermon stands 9,000 feet above sea level while the Dead Sea sits 1,400 feet below%u2014making it one of the fastest flowing rivers of its size.

A Barrier

Many ancient cultures thought rivers were sacred, but the Israelites saw the Jordan as a barrier: something to be crossed before moving forward in their calling.

Many ancient people considered their homeland rivers sacred. The people of India revered the Ganges, and the Egyptions honored the Nile. For the pagans who lived in Canaan, the Jordan River symbolized the power and protection of their fertility gods, the baals.

By contrast, the Israelites never worshipped the Jordan River. They saw it as a barrier to overcome. As they gazed into Canaan from the eastern side, the Jordan stood as an obstacle to their entry into the Promised Land.

Sometimes ancient Israelites used the barrier to their advantage by crossing the river and gaining protection from enemies who lived on the other side. Elijah crossed to the east side of the Jordan to hide from King Ahab. David also found protection by crossing the Jordan when his son Absalom schemed against him.

Whether running from enemies or trying to enter the Promised Land, the Israelites' perspective of the river was the same: It was an obstacle to overcome before moving forward in their calling. Their perspective became the source of the expression "to cross the Jordan," which meant to pass through something that stands in the way.

Crossing the Jordan

The Israelites stepped out in faith, trusting in God despite their fear of the fast-flowing floodwaters. The pagans were stunned to see that Israel's God stopped the Jordan's water.

After wandering in the desert for forty years, the Israelites were finally ready to enter the Promised Land. They were probably anxious to possess the land and become living witnesses for God.

But there was one last barrier in their way: the Jordan River. And its fast-flowing waters were at flood stage (Josh. 3:15).

No doubt the Canaanites were pleased by the timing. They had probably heard about Israel's victories east of the Jordan. But with the river at flood stage, they felt protected. To them, the flooded waters showed Baal's power to save them from the Israelites' invasion.

The Israelites had reached a monumental moment: they could either trust in God's power and step into the dangerous river, or they could disobey God's commands to enter the Promised Land because of their fear. God's people made their decision: They broke camp and prepared to cross.

The priests carried the ark of the covenant%u2014a symbol of God's presence%u2014to the edge of the river. Looking at the water below, they were probably terrified of what would happen if they stepped in.

But trusting God, the priests took the first step into the Jordan. Immediately, the river water stopped and the people could pass through on dry ground (Josh. 3:16). The pagans who had trusted in Baal were stunned to see that Israel's God had power over both nature and their fertility gods.

Jesus' Baptism

The Jordan was the site of Jesus' baptism, an event that brought a new order.

Hundreds of years after the Israelites' miraculous river crossing, another significant event took place in the Jordan.

The gospel accounts tell us that Jesus' baptism took place in the Jordan River. During this event, "the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove" (Luke 3:22). Most Westerners recognize the dove as a symbol of God's presence and approval during the baptism of his Son.

In Jesus' day, Jews probably saw another level of imagery as well. Many seem to have connected the hovering of the dove to the hovering of the Spirit over the watery chaos that preceded the creation of the world (Gen. 1:2). Just as the Spirit drew out a new order through creation, they saw the dove as a symbol that Jesus' ministry would also bring a new order.

The Jordan, a place for trusting God and taking the first step, was the place where Jesus began his own ministry. And just as the Israelites' crossing began a new era of life in the Promised Land, so Jesus' baptism also brought a new beginning in the life of God's people.

Ambassadors of a New Order

Today, Jesus' followers are ambassadors of his new order: and order that brings hope, healing, and love to our broken world.

Jesus' ministry symbolized a new, loving, caring way of doing things. Today, his followers are ambassadors of that new order. We live in a culture that does not understand or practice the values that Jesus taught. It is our job to demonstrate these principles to a watching world.

At a time when many people lie and cheat to advance themselves, we demonstrate integrity and truth. In a world filled with hate and selfishness, Christians bring love and sympathy to our neighbors. And amidst the empty promises of materialism, God's people exhibit the peace and joy that comes from storing up heavenly treasures.

The degree to which we actually bring this new order is the degree to which we will successfully impact our culture for God's glory.

Sadly, many of us stumble and become attracted to the world around us. Instead of exhibiting the new order of Jesus, we sometimes follow the sinful values of our culture. When we do so, we damage our witness and cause others to stumble.

As ambassadors of the new order, our goal should be a consistent witness to the new order of hope and restoration. As we step in our faith to bring healing and truth to our communities, we will be effective in this calling.

Get Your Feet Wet

We all have a "Jordan River" - something that holds us back from our calling. Do you trust God enough to get your feet wet and cross that barrier?

Sometimes, being God's ambassadors can be difficult. His values are not always "politically correct" to a world that clutches materialistic gods, the truth of God's Word can be offensive. Bringing healing to a broken world often requires us to leave what is familiar and comfortable.

But our calling is still clear. And just like the Israelites, each of God's children reaches moments when they must "cross the Jordan" to pursue their calling. To do that, we must get our feet wet%u2014we must take that first step of faith.

Though you and I may prefer that God hand out long-range plans, he doesn't promise that. Instead, he asks us to respond to his calling by taking a step of faith today, trusting that he has the future under control too.

Today, there are many "Jordan Rivers" that hold Christians back from their calling. For some, it may be a job or a relationship that doesn't glorify God. For others, it may be an addiction or a fear of the unknown.

But no matter what barriers we face, each of us must make a decision: Will we trust that God controls everything%u2014including the obstacles and fears before us%u2014and step out in faith? Or will we stay on the other side of the Jordan and miss the opportunity to feel God's power in our lives?

God's Presence in the World

God was so close to his creation that Adam and Eve could hear him walking in the garden! Because of their sin against him God drove them away from his holy presence and wouldn't allow them back into the Garden of Eden.

God demonstrated his concern for his world when he came down to see the city and the Tower of Babel that the world's people were building. Clearly God is aware of what is happening in the world.

The temple in Jerusalem was built as a place where God would reside, on the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies. The temple was built to reveal the glory of the Lord to the Israelites and all the world. God's presence eventually left the temple because of Israel's disbelief.

God then restored his presence among his people through his Son. Jesus the Messiah became flesh and came to live on earth to reveal the glory of the Father.

Today God chooses to reveal his presence through his Spirit, who lives in every believer. Each believer is a temple of the Holy Sprit.