Where did the expression 'crossing Jordan' originate?

Answer 1

Crossing Jordan: It's origin & meaning

The term crossing Jordan (often used in reference to death) originates in the Old Testament . The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years when God delivered them by His mighty power. After they left Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience. Hundreds of years earlier, God had called Abraham out from among the heathen and, because of Abraham's great faith, promised to give his family an inheritance of land, which became known as the "Promised Land." God also promised Abraham that He would make a great nation of his descendants. He told Him that through his family the Messiah, (Jesus Christ) would come. Though Abraham did not own the land God intended to give his descendants, he did dwell there for some years prior to his death. The land did not belong to Abraham's descendants until after the Egyptian captivity had ended. The Israeliteshad to get across the Jordan river with their families and flocks and all their possessions. In order for that to happen, God parted the waters of the Jordan ( the second of 3 three times such an act is recorded in scripture) and God's chosen people crossed over on dry land.

KJV Joshua 3:14-17 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap ... and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Now the people of God would dwell in the home God had prepared for them.

The story of crossing over Jordan is a beautiful picture of crossing over from death into life--the Israelites crossed over Jordan into a new "physical" life. Christians "cross Jordan" into a new "Spiritual" life. Before receiving that New Testament promise of salvation and eternal life, one must first recognize his/her sinfulness against our Holy God-- believe that Jesus is the Son of God; then repent (turn) from those sins; and finally be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38) in order to receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, who bore our sins and took our punishment on the cross, is the author of our Salvation. This work is a process in each individuals life and Acts 2:47 says that we aren't saved but, rather, are "being saved". This work has its origin in the Holy Spirit and is completed by Him. Salvation is not obtained by works (good deeds) or by natural birth into a Christian family. No person is being saved without the Holy Spirit working in his/her heart (John 6:63). A child of God who runs the race and finishes the course will, upon death, dwell with God forever in the eternal "Promised Land" known as Heaven.