Open doors.

Joshua 4:11
Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.

I’m sure that at some time or another we’ve all had the opportunity to hold the door open for someone, somewhere. It happens to me a lot when I go out with my family. When we’re going into a restaurant, I like to go out ahead of my family and open the door for them (good husband and father moment here). After they have entered the building, I usually follow them in and close the door behind me. Occasionally I stay for an extra minute or two and hold the door a little longer for that couple running across the parking lot in the rain. Either way, I enter after everyone else and the door closes behind me.

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan river it was the Ark of the Covenant, an Old Testament representation of the future human manifestation of Jesus Christ, that went into the river first. The river was overflowing at the time. The Bible tells us that the Jordan River always overflows its banks during the entire time of the harvest (Joshua 3:15). This was no small stream or brook; it was a raging river. As soon as the priests bearing the Ark touched the water, however, God stopped the flow. He pushed back the waters of the river all the way back to a city called Adam (Joshua 3:16), and created a safe place for His children to cross. God’s people were able to cross on dry land.

Those priests stood, with the Ark, in the middle of the river bed until all of Israel had made it safely to the other side. When everyone had crossed, when all they had to do was complete, the priests were finally allowed to step out from the river bed. As soon as their feet touched the shore, the river rushed back into place, once again overflowing its banks and cutting off access to the other side.

Are there raging rivers blocking you in your life, career, family, or finances? Does it seem to be that there is no hope for getting across? Well here’s the Good News: Jesus has already gone in the water for you. He is the Ark, the priests, and God all wrapped up in one. He has prepared the way and promised to come back for you (John 14:2-3). Just like in the story of Israel crossing the Jordan, Jesus has pushed back the torrent of sin, fear, stress, unfruitfulness, and holy separation all the way to Adam, the man. He has righteously and completely restored us to a pre-sin status with God the Father. He has returned us to Eden; He has brought us to the promised land!

There is no one who can close the door (Revelation 3:8). He has gone ahead and prepared the way. He has fought the battle against Satan and won the war. He has conquered sin and death, sickness and disease, and heartache and sorrow so that we can have perfect peace with Him.

Jesus has gone ahead of us; He’s opened the door and is waiting for us to enter. He has seen to it that the rage of the world is held back by His hands in order that we may safely enter His rest. What a blessing that Jesus isn’t going to allow the door to slam shut just before we get there. He’s holding it open and waiting, for you, me, the couple running in, and anyone else desiring to enter. He’s waiting for all of His family to come in and eat at the banquet table of the King!