Joshua

by Jill Rhodes

March 2005

"And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus,
for it is He who will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21

"In remembering that His name means Jehovah saves,
it is not difficult to see that His teaching
had to do with humanity's desperation...
The words held power to save, to heal, and to give hope."  (Calvin Miller)

In Hebrew the names Joshua and Jehoshua, which, as we have seen, becomes Jesus in Greek, mean, "Jehovah is my help," or, "Jehovah is rescue," or, "The help of Jehovah."  "You shall give Him the Jesus,"  the angel said, "for He will save His people from their sins"  (Matt. 1:21).  The very name stamps Jesus as Savior.  He is God's divinely appointed and divinely sent Rescuer, whose function is to deliver men from their sins.  He came to rescue men from the estrangement and the alienation from God which is the consequence of their past sins, and from the moral frustration and the continuous and inevitable defeat which are the result of sin.  He came to bring friendship for fear, and victory for defeat... Joshua the son of Nun, Jesus the son of Nave, as his name denotes, rescued his people from their enemies;  Jesus of Nazareth is the great Rescuer from sin.
(William Barclay)

Come and See

As Jesus walked toward Jerusalem on His way to the cross, He retraced the steps Joshua took as he lead Israel into the promised land.  And as He went, Jesus claimed not land but lives as He broke down walls and won a great victory in Jericho.

A Fresh Vision of Jesus

1.  Read Luke 18:35-43.  What was the location of this story (v.35)?  What was the blind man's name according to Mark 10:46?

2.  According to Luke 18:40-42, what four things did Jesus do in response to the blind man's cry for mercy?

3.  Why did Bartimaeus receive his sight (v.42)?  What did he do as a result (v.43)?

4.  Read Ephesians 1:18-19.  Paul prayed that our eyes would be opened in order to catch a fresh vision of our hope, our riches, and our power in the Lord.  Which of these do you need to see more clearly in your present circumstances?
Take a moment and pray this prayer for your own life today.

"Vision is looking at life through the lens of God's eye."
Chuck Swindoll

Full Victory in Jesus

5.  Read Luke 19:1-10.  How is Zaccheus described in verses 2-3?

6.  When Zaccheus was up a tree and out on a limb, what do you think was his greatest longing?  How did Jesus meet this longing in his life?

7.  What victory was won in Zaccheus' life as a result of Jesus coming to his house (v. 8-10)?

8.  How has Jesus brought victory out of defeat in your own life?

"The soul stands at salute when He passes by."
George A. Buttrick

The Faithful Valor of Jesus

9.  As the final days of His life drew near, what did Jesus do, according to Luke 9:51?

10.  Read Matthew 20: 17-28.  On the Jericho road, what did Jesus share with the disciples (v.17-19)?

The only book in Scripture which actually bears the name of Jesus in its title is the book of Joshua in the Old Testament.  This book highlights a major turning point in the life of God's people.  After struggling for 40 years in the wilderness because of their sin, Israel entered the promised land through Joshua, and went forth conquering at his command. 

11.  What did the mother of James and John ask Jesus at this point (Matt. 20:21)?  How do you think Jesus felt hearing this after He had just revealed the personal battle ahead for Him?

12.  What does Matthew 20:28 tell you about the attitude of Jesus as He neared the time of his death?

13.  What is the biggest battle you are facing in your life right now?  How does Christ's resolve to walk forward in the fight encourage you today (Heb. 12:2-3)?

"He acted as the Captain of us all.  He broke through the ranks of our enemies.  He has already won the battle, our battle.  All we have to do is to follow Him, to be victorious with Him.  Through Him, in Him we are saved.  Our sin no longer has any power over us.  Our prison door is open... When He, the Son of God, sets us free, we are truly free."
Karl Barth

The Road to Emmaus - The Lord is pictured as a victorious warrior throughout His Word, always working to accomplish His mighty plan to redeem and restore:

• In Psalm - Psalm 118: 5-18
  Which hand of the Lord is mighty to save (v. 15-16)?
• In Prophecy - Isaiah 62:1-12
  When the Lord brings final victory to His people, what will they be called (v.11-12)?
• In Parable - Zechariah 3:1-10
  God used another Joshua in this Old Testament illustration to describe the work of His Son.  What would the Lord do in one day according to verse 9?

Come and Follow

13.  What does the name of Jesus mean to you?
       One day, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, but are you willing to bow your heart to Him today?

14.  Which are you most in need of right now in your life:  fresh vision, full victory, or faithful valor?

Name Above All Names

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:10-11

~ The Captain of the Host of the Lord - Joshua 5:14

~  A Commander of the People - Isaiah 55:4

~  The Portion of Jacob - Jeremiah 10:16

~  An Ensign for the People - Isaiah 11:10

~  A Polished Arrow - Isaiah 49:2

~  My Shield - Psalm 3:3

~  The Captain of Our Salvation - Hebrews 2:10