From the River’s Edge

Aliyah stood next to her father as she looked back across the Jordan river. Standing on the river’s edge she experienced, more than viewed, the whole scene. She had seen the magnitude of God in a morsel of Manna. She had witnessed His faithfulness in its daily abundance, but this day, this day filled her heart with wonder. From the river’s edge she saw the waters pushed aside. Her feet dusty from the dry ground of the bed of the Jordan River. As she prepared to cross the riverbed God’s power and presence was all around her. Everyone could feel it. The men who held the Ark of the Covenant stood where the river had flowed only moments before.  Their mighty arms holding the mercy seat as the people passed by, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. The golden Ark gleamed and shimmered with a brilliance that was greater than just the sunlight’s reflection. The dark brown dry ground of the riverbed and the vibrant blue waters that danced against the power of God that held them in place made a beautiful contrast to the healthy shades of green that unfurled across the Jordan valley and ascended the small mountains in the distance. The blue sky adorned with occasional clouds of brilliant white seemed like accents to the sun of a new day that washed the scene below. Tears came to her eyes as the recollection of the morning’s events passed through her mind. She saw now, the men still bearing the ark in the midst of the river and people passing through. Everyone had the same expressions and countenance of joy and awe and pleasure at the presence of God that she now felt. 

In the distance, the far bank of the Jordan and lands beyond were now a part of their past. All they had suffered and lost in the desert and the hardships and the victories and the daily faithfulness of God’s provisions both common and magnificent, led to this day and all the days to come. So many loved ones had been lost in the desert. If they could have seen this day maybe, they would have chosen differently.  She thought, “Maybe I would have been different on the journey if I could have seen this day.”

Isaiah chapter 53 is a Prophecy of Israel’s realization that Jesus was the Messiah. Their realization comes as they look back over their past, the treatment of Jesus as He comes to them the second time. How differently would they have lived if they could have foreseen that day – the Messiah Savior coming in clouds of glory to conquer the nations bringing peace to all men. Would their words, their message have changed? Their regard for Jesus would have led them in joy through all their circumstances if they had seen His plan for them. Here in Isaiah, they see Him and confess Him and believe in Him. How would grace have gifted them? What blessing would they have been to the nations if they could have seen this day?

One day, each of us will look back from the shores of time and we will see the cross and the empty tomb and resurrection’s light as it cascades across the ages. We will see the day we embraced it and accepted it! Jesus standing there with his arm across our shoulders points out that day with a smile. He will see our darkest days, our darkest years and in compassion lean His head to ours and draw us close. He will see with us our greatest days, our victories, and endurance. In one of those days was there a moment, a conversation, a prayer that amazed Him? If I could have seen this day, would I have chosen differently.  Maybe I would have been different on the journey if I could have seen this day with Jesus.

I look up from my bible and I see the Sun’s first rays creeping across the floor. The window slowly brings the morning and I wonder, “What would today look like?”