A Memorial of Grace

Written by Pastor Kyle Jones

When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” (Joshua 4:1 - 3)

Think back to a family vacation and a small souvenir you brought home—a seashell, a postcard, or a key-chain. That simple item carries more than its shape; it holds memories of laughter, awe, and connection. It draws you back to the journey and the people who made it meaningful. Like the Israelites’ memorial stones, these keepsakes ground us in moments of joy and gratitude, serving as tangible reminders of blessings and shaping our perspective. For Israel, the twelve stones from the Jordan River held even greater significance—they marked a miraculous act of God’s deliverance. These stones commemorated the day when the rushing waters of the Jordan stood still, allowing an unworthy people to pass through on dry ground. They testified to the God who saves, a lasting symbol of His power and faithfulness.

Just as Israel was commanded to remember God’s work in their deliverance, baptism serves as a visible memorial of the believer’s passage from death to life through the work of Christ. Baptism reminds us of the judgment we deserve, much like the Jordan’s floodwaters symbolized death and sin. But through God’s intervention, those waters became a pathway to life and a new covenant community. Reflecting on our baptism can serve as a spiritual anchor, reminding us of God’s grace and calling us to walk faithfully in the new life He has given us.

Baptism, however, is not a private ritual but a public declaration of God’s saving work. It proclaims to the watching world that we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Like the memorial stones, baptism is not about what we have done but about what God has done for us. It points to His unchanging faithfulness, reminding us and others of the gospel—the message that, through Christ, sinners are brought safely through the waters of judgment into the safety of eternal life.

The memorial stones of Joshua 4 stood as an enduring testimony to God’s faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He had promised. In the same way, baptism marks our passage from death to life, pointing us to the One who made that journey possible. As we reflect on our baptism, may it remind us of God’s grace and faithfulness, spurring us to live in the reality of what it signifies—a life transformed by the power of the gospel. Through this memorial, may we boldly proclaim the unchanging faithfulness of God in Christ to a world in need of His redemption.

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