When your children ask in time to come, “What do these stones mean to you? then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.

–Joshua 4.6-7–

People use the mantles and shelving in their homes to display items of importance.

Some of these surface areas hold pictures or painted portraits of family members. Some of these storage spaces hold trophies, medals, special gifts, and mementos of relatives long passed. I have even seen the remaining ashes of loved ones and loved pets proudly displayed in fancy urns and boxes as the centerpieces above the house warming fireplace.

In our home, I wish we had a glass jar filled with half of my tongue for all who entered our home to see (note: my wife probably disagrees with my choice of this home décor piece).

Sounds strange (and possibly grotesque and nauseating), doesn’t it?

The reason that I wish for this mad-scientist like appendage containing jar in our home is because that half tongue represents a memorial in my life—that half tongue (that is now in some medical waste container) was cut off 10 years ago in an act that saved my life.

God, the Great Physician (Matthew 9.1-13), used His gift of medical professionals and medical procedures to remove a cancerous tumor that was plaguing my body and threatening to take my life all the way to the grave.

After the discovery of the corrupted growth and the removal of the half of my tongue that was home to this group of diseased cells, the doctors have declared my body cancer free.

The reason I would want to have my tongue preserved is because I would want my sons, family, and friends to be able to ask, “What does this tongue mean to you?” And, I shall tell them, and all others that ask, “that this tongue was cut off in order that His miraculous power to heal and save the human from the effects of sin would be known throughout the world. So, this tongue shall be to our family and friends a memorial forever.”

God commanded His people, whom He was actively working to save, to remove stones from the middle of the Jordan River. This was the river that God, the one in control of all things, including nature, stopped from flowing in order that Joshua and God’s people could cross safely on their journey to the Promised Land—a place that God was preparing for them and a place where they would find provision, rest, and peace.

God desired for His people to have a visual representation of God work of providing a safe river crossing so that when sin crept in and grumbling and complaining against the perceived shortcomings of God to provide, they could look back at the pile of stones taken from the dry ground in the middle of the river and be reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness to them. The pile of stones would also act as a conversation piece between those who saw it and God’s people who experienced God’s saving grace in their lives. In other words, the 12 stones provided continual opportunities to share the good news of God’s love.

There is one item that every Christian can place on a mantle that acts as a reminder and testimony to God’s love and provision for those who have faith.

That memorial piece is the cross.

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that God forgave your sin and gave you eternal life (John 3.16).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that God took you who were unwise for salvation and gave you the knowledge of and belief in His Son’s life, death, and resurrection (Ephesians 1.15-22).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that God made you who were dead in sin come alive in righteousness (Ephesians 2.1-10).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that you who were once far away from God have been brought near to God (Ephesians 2.11-22).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that you who did not have access to God, the Father in Heaven, have been given access to God, the Father in Heaven (Ephesians 3.1-13).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that you were weakened by sin have been made strong to love God and love your neighbor (Ephesians 3.14-21).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that you who were naked before God have been clothed with the holiness of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4.17-32).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that you who were walking in the darkness of sin have been brought into the light to walk in love (Ephesians 5.1-21).

It is on the cross that God took you who were corrupted and impure and made you pure (1 Corinthians 6.9-11; Proverbs 25.4).

It is on the cross of Jesus Christ that God took sinners and made them saints.

Romans 10:8-13 gives you comfort and a command when Paul writes,

“…The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

In addition to a cross, each of us has many other specific items that are able to tell the story of God’s grace, mercy, faithfulness, and love toward us.

What items of importance would you be able to place on a mantle in your home that gave direct testimony to the miraculous and saving work that God did in your life?

With faith in God’s saving grace for you through the person and work of Jesus Christ, be strong, bold, courageous (Joshua 1.6, 9; Ephesians 3.12) and,

“Tell the world that Jesus lives;
Tell the world that he died for them;
Tell the world that he lives again” (Hillsong, Tell the World).

Amen,

Pastor Fred.

June 29, 2017