When the entire nation had finished their miracle-crossing of the Jordan, Yahweh said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Instruct each of them to take a stone from the riverbed, twelve stones from the very place where the priests stand with the ark. Have them carry the stones over to the place where you camp tonight.” So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had selected from the Israelites, one per tribe. Joshua instructed them, “Walk out to the middle of the riverbed to the ark of Yahweh your God. Each of you choose a stone and lift it up onto your shoulder—one stone for each tribe. The stones will always be a sign to you. Someday, when your children ask you, ‘Why are these stones so important?’ tell them, ‘The Jordan stopped flowing in front of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh—the floodwaters were completely cut off.’ These stones will serve as a memorial for Israel forever.”
Joshua 4
Our breath is vital—a gift from God. He breathed life into us, and when we say yes to Jesus, we breathe in the Holy Spirit. Each breath reminds us that God is always making us new. Our posture toward life reflects our faith, shaped by what we’ve lived and remembered. Faith isn’t just about what we know; it’s something we feel and experience in our whole being. Even when painful memories linger, our loving Father offers a greater story. He works through our past to reveal His glory. In our Zakar series, Pastor Kathryn Myers reminds us that our bodies are created to remember—and to remember Him.
What is the context?
- Joshua leads the Israelites from the wilderness into the promised land.
- Following God’s command, the Israelites take stones from the river to set up as a memorial.
- Before preparing for battle, they are circumcised as an act of surrender and a sign of their covenant with God.
Israel Embodies God’s Story
- The stones carried by the men weighed 50-70 pounds, making the journey physically demanding with many breaks for rest.
- This symbolizes carrying the weight of God’s glory—each step a reminder of His deliverance, faithfulness, and sovereignty.
- While encamped at Gilgal, the Israelites celebrated passover. It was a reminder of God’s protection and faithfulness. They retold the story and continue to do so. In doing this, they live out the truth that God is their redeemer and rescuer.
Jesus Embodies God’s Story
- Jesus too celebrated Passover, the sacred meal that marked Israel’s deliverance, even just hours before His own sacrificial death. In that moment, He fulfilled the story of Israel and all it pointed to.
- Born as the promised seed of Adam and Eve, Jesus escaped Herod’s decree to kill all babies. He then passed through the Jordan River and was baptized, stepping into His calling as the Savior of the world.
- Jesus was both the law of justice and the law of mercy. Through His teachings and His life, He revealed the true nature of God as a Father—tender yet just.
- He experienced every emotion, every physical need, and understood that each step He took was ordered by God.
We Embody God’s Story
- When we receive Jesus as our Savior and are baptized, we enter into His story—carrying the weight of our sin and shame, just as He carried the weight of the cross.
- The cross represents the brokenness, sin, and evil we carry—a heavy burden. Our bodies remember the weight of shame, yet through Jesus, we are invited to lay it down.
- Rather than simply pushing through tough circumstances, we often need a deep connection with God. Jesus felt the pain and offense of the world in His body, and when we feel our own, we honor Him.
Additional Resources:
- Genesis 2:7
- John 20:22
- Ephesians 2:10
- Joshua 5:1-10
- Matthew 26:17-
Dinner Party Questions:
- How have you felt God’s presence in your struggles, and how does that connect you to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?
- In times of pain or brokenness, how do you find strength in knowing Jesus carries those burdens with you?
- How can you honor God with your body during difficult or painful moments?