"What Does This Milestone Mean?” Series

Although we no longer use literal stones to mark the miles along our roads and highways, we all understand the reference to “milestones.” Tracing their history back to the Roman Empire when they were called “miliarium” they were used to mark distances along their vast network of roads. Yes, they were originally stone markers–made from granite, marble, or whatever local stone was available—that marked distances along the roads that Rome built across the Europe, and Africa, and even into Asia.

For travelers in the ancient world milestones served a number of practical purposes. They were set in place to provide reference points along a road as a person journeyed on them. They would in a way reassure travelers that they were going in the right direction and indicate either the distance they had travelled, or the remaining distance to their destination. These stones could also let a traveler know where lodging and food might be available.

Today we have gathered to observe a significant “milestone” in the life of this congregation. And, I would say in each of our lives, although to a lesser degree. Obviously, we are not marking literal miles today. (Although this congregation has moved a few miles in its history.) No, today we are marking years, not miles. And the specific milestone we are observing today says “50-ish” years on it! Brothers in Sisters in the faith, let’s take some time today time to consider what this milestone means for this congregation, for each of us gathered here today, and also for the Church of Christ at large.

To that end we will direct our attention to a time in the Old Testament history of God’s people where some literal stones marked a spiritual milestone and a pivotal event. We read from Joshua 4:4-7. (Read text.) Although Joshua and his conquest of the Promised Land is somewhat familiar to us the specific event recorded in these verses of the Bible may not be as familiar. At a monumental occasion in their history, God told the Israelites to set up some stones as a lasting memorial to his power and grace. Today as we mark the celebration of the milestone of 50 years let’s answer the question that Joshua predicted his people would ask when they saw that pile of stones next to the Jordan River. May God the Holy Spirit enable us to answer this question:

“WHAT DOES THIS MILESTONE MEAN?”

I. It stands as a monument to God’s power

II. It stands as a monument to God’s grace

After forty years of wandering in the wilderness God’s people were almost home. But the Jordan River (which was also at flood stage) stood between the Israelites and the Promised Land. To remind the people of his power and his grace the LORD God broke the laws of nature that he set in place at creation. God miraculously stopped the flow of the river. The Book of Joshua tells us that once the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the water the river began to “pile up” toward the Sea of Galilee. Similar to what their ancestors had done a generation before at the Red Sea, the Children of Israel were able to walk into their new homeland on dry ground because of a miracle.

To have a way to remember the miracle God told the Israelites to select a man from each of the twelve tribes to go back into the dry riverbed and pick up a stone where the priests had stood holding the Ark of the Covenant. They were then to take those stones and set them up as a monument to what God had done for his people. When future generations asked about the pile of stones down by the Jordan they were to be told about God’s power and grace. He had shown his power to his people in a dramatic way. They crossed a flooded river without being swept away by the current or even soaking their sandals. For many generations the stones stood as a monument to God’s power and God’s grace. God had kept his promises.

I.

When those twelve men went back into the Jordan River to pick up a stone for the monument recalling God’s power, they could still see the evidence of God’s power in action. Right? Imagine for a moment what they saw! To their left was an awesome sight—there was a wall of water held in place by the LORD. It defied any natural explanation. Clearly it was a miracle. I have wondered when reading this text if anyone walked up and poked their finger into the water? No, they were probably focused on getting their stone out of the riverbed and getting back to the riverbank.