Josh. 3, Submission to Christ is Normal!

Ever since we turned the corner with Jesus in Mark 8:31-33, when He first announced the plan to go to Jerusalem, we have been emphasizing the call to faith as submission to Him.  Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him to Calvary and the empty tomb.  He had always called them to lose their life for Him and the gospel.  But following Christ became much more intense when Jesus Himself knew that the time was near for His “passion.”  Submission to God and His will has always been the way for the righteous.  To demonstrate this, on a recent Sunday, I asked our congregation to join me in my daily Bible reading so that they could see this.  We read Joshua 3-5, Prov. 17:25-28 and Luke 10:38-11:26.  Here are a few demonstrations of submission to God as the normal life of righteousness.

·       Josh. 3:3: The Ark of God’s presence went first; the people followed at a distance where they could see the priests carrying the Ark.

·       3:4: Submission to God made sense because Israel had never been on that path.

·       3:7: It was God who granted greatness to Joshua and to Israel.

·       3:10: Submission to God made sense because the people were not able to part the waters.  Only God could do that.

·       4:1-24: This chapter was about remembering, making a memorial of a special time when Israel was obedient to the LORD and He led them in triumph.  The memorial would give them a story for their children and grandchildren. 

·       4:24: Submission to God made sense because that was the means by which the nations would know and fear the LORD.

·       5:1-12: Israel experienced the blessings God promised to them if they were submitted to Him.  These included a weakening of their enemies, their covenant relationship with God (circumcision was a sign of that relationship), Passover in the land, and eating the fresh produce in the land.

·       15:13-15: Joshua was made great, but Joshua was still submitted to the LORD.

·       Prov. 17:25: A foolish son seeks his own greatness.

·       17:26: This shows seeking greatness in the way of the world.

·       17:27-28: This shows servitude in the man who is truly great in the world.

·       Lk. 10:38-42: Mary was recognized by Jesus for Her priority of submission.

·       11:1-4: Prayer is always submission.  The Lord’s Prayer begins with, “Hallowed by Thy name.”  Everything else is our dependence upon the Lord.

·       11:5-8: This parable emphasized persistence in submission to God.

·       11:9-13: Submission does not put us at a disadvantage in this world because HE IS OUR FATHER!

·       11:14-26: People had two options with Christ.  Either He was from Satan (which He makes clear is not possible) or He is the coming of God’s Kingdom.  This is a call to submission to Christ.

As you read the Scriptures you will see this is always the case.  God calls people to a life of faith, trust in God, submission to Him and His will!