Biblical Meaning of Crossing the Sea

 2-2-2022

 

The New Testament Meaning of the Crossing of the Red Sea and the New Testament Meaning of the Crossing of the Jordan River

 

Bible teachers often refer to the crossing of the Red Sea by the Hebrews.  This crossing has a vital New Testament meaning.  Coming out of Egypt is analogous to the New Testament believer coming out of sin relying on Christ’s death.  Specifically, God opening the Red Sea for the Hebrews to escape out of Egypt is a picture of the Christian being delivered from sin by grace by being crucified with Christ.  Through Christ’s death, the Christian is dead to sin (Romans 6:1-11) so that he no longer has to be a slave to sin.  We as Christians still sin, but we have a way to not be a slave to sin any longer (Romans 6, 2Corinthians 5:14-17, etc.)

Bible teachers also refer to the crossing of the Jordan River by the Hebrews.  The crossing of the Jordan River is a picture of the New Testament believer entering into an experience with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit came upon Him there (Luke 3:21-22, Luke 4:1-2). Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit when crossing the Jordan river twice.  This whole story about Elijah and Elisha is about Elisha seeking fervently the mantle or anointing of Elijah (2Kings 2:6-10, 2Kings 2:12-15, etc.)

The Holy Spirit is referred to as a river in John 7:38-39. 

There is a much more in-depth teaching of these two crossings in an article on www.thelordssupper.org .  The title of this article is “The Crossing of the Red Sea and the Crossing of the Jordan River: What New Testament Truths do These Crossings Symbolize?”

- Chris Tento