I Stood On The Banks of The Jordan

“I stood on the banks of the Jordan” was a popular song by the late Rev. Dr. James Cleveland. I just want to give credit were credit is due. He was a gospel music genius.

As I read and reflected on my classmate’s post concerning the Jordan River. He paints a honest assessment of the small piece of the Jordan River we visited. I began to reflect why the dismal look for the Jordan. I reached the conclusion it is because people like us, tourist and pilgrims from abroad and people who live locally. The waters of the Jordan have been long disputed between two countries. The waters have been divided and dammed thus cutting off the flow of the living water.

My Jordan River experience was a positive one. As we traveled to the Jordan River site, Claudia, our tour guide stated the Jordan is a symbol of salvation. I never thought about it from that perspective—I always saw it as the place Jesus was baptized. As I approached the waters, I reflected back to February 1998 when I was baptized by full immersion at my church. After kneeling down to touch the water and pray; I felt the spirit of renewal. There are times when our faith becomes stagnant like the current state of the Jordan River. During those stagnant moments, we cannot dwell on the right now or the past, but we have to look towards God and pray for renewal and a continuous flow of living water.

I am confident during the time of Jesus; the Jordan River was a flowing river. This may be a stretch; could the current state of the Jordan River be a representative of the current political and religious landscape of Israel? Could the current state of the Jordan be a representative of churches in American, were baptismal pools and founts are dusty and unused?

Nevertheless, these are some questions to ponder about the Jordan. I am reminded of “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him (John 7:38)."

Take me to the water!