God’s always had a thing for water.
Seventy-one percent of the earth is covered by water with ninety-six of all earth water found in the oceans. These two percentages do not include the amount of water found in the air. The human body contains sixty percent water which is necessary for the brain, blood cells, tissues to regulate temperature and other bodily functions. They say you can abstain from food for a month, but you cannot go a week without water. And of all the sports drinks marketed, the best one for hydrations is simple water.
God’s always had a thing for water.
Scripture is filled with water stories where God’s watermark is all over his redemptive plan. With the world corrupted and every thought of humanity was bent on evil (Gen. 5-6), God devised a solution. He used water to purge the evil in order to refresh the earth. He saved one righteous man and his family by way of an ark to house Noah, his family and a remnant of the earth’s animals. Water became the mark that separated those who were saved versus those who perished in the food.
With Israel pinned in – the sea on one side and Pharaoh’s army on the other – no escape plan was evident (Ex. 14). Israel was circling as if they were lost. Destruction seemed imminent. The people cried out to God, and Moses took their pleas to the Almighty. At God’s instructions, Moses took his staff and raised it. The waters parted as Israel passes through safely and the Egyptian army was destroyed. With the threat behind them, water became the mark where Israel left their life of slavery and began a life of freedom.
Forty years later Joshua led Israel into the conquest of Canaan. Certainly the crossing of the Jordan is far less dramatic than the crossing of the Red Sea, and even less dramatic than the battle at Jericho. With the Ark of the Covenant carried by the priests, they stepped into the water where the flow stopped upstream (Josh. 3). The priest stood on solid ground so that Israel could cross the river. Thus, water became the mark where Israel abandoned the wilderness wanderings and entered the Promised Land.
God always had a thing for water.
John was calling Israel to repentance, and calling out the religious leaders for pretending to repent (Mt. 3). As he was preaching, Jesus entered the waters for John to baptize him. John struggled to understand Jesus’ request. Knowing his own sinfulness, he believed Jesus should baptize him. Yet Jesus claimed something greater was at work as his baptism “fulfilled all righteousness” (a baffling comment to say the least). Water became the mark where Jesus the Carpenter retires and Jesus the Messiah began his ministry.
God always had a thing for water.
When Peter stood before the multitude on the Day of Pentecost (Act. 2), he pointed to the tongue speaking as fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy. He then built his sermon around Jesus fulfillment of Scripture as the true Messiah. His conclusion hit their heart like a knockout punch when he claimed, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Act. 2:36). When they wanted to know how to rectify their relationship with God, Peter called for repentance and baptism. Water, then, became the mark where the sinner transformed into the saved.
God always had a thing for water . . . and he still does.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)