Jesus leads his people to heaven

Introduction

Christian in Pilgrim’s progress has left the city of destruction and is heading to the celestial city. When you read the allegory of the Christian life by Bunyan, you see the amount of times Christian nearly never makes it. Whether it was the slow of despond, or doubting castle, the giant of despair, or vanity fair. Time and again it seems Christian isn’t going to make it to the celestial city. But it seems every time he gets into trouble there is always someone or something that delivers him.

It is clear as you read the book that the King of the Celestial city is the one who is rescuing him, and leading him on his way. He sends evangelist who helps him out of the slow of despond. He provided Christian with the key of promises which enables him to escape doubting castle.

It is clear when we read Pilgrim’s progress that Bunyan understood the Lord leads his people all the way to heaven.

The Lord leads his people in their promised rest. But we don’t just see this in Pilgrim’s progress. More importantly we see it in the Old testament as the Lord is leading his people into the promised land.

It is what we see in the passage before us this evening.

Explain context

The children of Israel have spied out Jericho. They know the LORD has given the city into their hands and the people of Jericho are afraid.

They have now crossed the river Jordan. Set up a memorial so that future generations can remember the goodness of God.

Before attacking Jericho the people of Israel consecrate themselves afresh to the LORD. They are all circumcised. They keep the passover meal.

Now they set their sights upon Jericho.

Tell narrative

That brings us to what we have just read.

It is just before the people of Israel begin to inherit the promised land by conquering Jericho that this event took place.

Joshua is near Jericho, looking at the city. Probably, thinking of the best way to take it. By now the city was locked up and it would have been very difficult for the men of Israel to seize it.

It is as Joshua is contemplating this that a man appears to Joshua. Joshua lifts up his eyes and sees a man standing before him with his sword drawn.

Joshua approaches the man and asks whether he is for Israel or if he is for their enemies. Who’s side are you on?

The man replies by saying; “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” In other words he replies by saying I am not an enemy but neither am I merely an ally I am the Commander of the LORD’s army. In other word’s I am in charge here.

Joshua doesn’t bother to dispute this claim, but instead falls on his face before the man and worships him. Then Joshua in humble submission says “What does my Lord say to his servant?”

Then the Commander of the LORD’s army tells Joshua to take his sandal off his foot because he is standing on holy ground. So Joshua takes off his sandal.

So the children of Israel are just about to begin inheriting the promised land, when this mysterious figure appears and tells Joshua that he is in charge and demands humble submission from Joshua, which he is very willing to give.

Who was this man? What was the point of this event taking place? What was God teaching the children of Israel? What can we learn from this today?

Show Jesus

The first thing we need to think about is who is this figure? Was he an angel, was he a man? Was he even a created being?

It is clear when you look at the detail of this passage, it is not a man neither is it an angel or a created being of any kind.

So who is it? This is none other than God himself. This is a Theophany, an appearance of God. We can be more specific and say this is the Second Person of the Trinity, God the Son appearing in human form before his incarnation.

This is Jesus appearing before he was born of the Virgin Mary. This is Jesus appearing in a human form before he permanently took on a human body at the incarnation.

How do we know this?

Three points show us this is Jesus

Joshua’s response- fell on his face, worshipped, what does my Lord say to his servant?

Holy ground- Exodus 3:5

Ch 6:2 he is called the LORD.

If any of this was applied to an angel or any created being it would be blasphemy. It is clear this is a pre-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Application

- Jesus fights for his people

He appears to Joshua as Captain of the LORD’s army, with his sword drawn.

the captain of our salvation

- Jesus must lead his people into the promised land-

He must be in charge. he hasn’t come to join partnership but has come as the commander of the LORD’s army.

- Jesus demands our submission

Conclusion