Conquering hearts – how does that work?
As disciples of Jesus, we have a mission to bring the gospel to other people. Jesus wants to reach and conquer hearts. Now how can this work? In the New Testament, Jesus says that if we have love for one another, everyone will recognise Jesus in us.
In the Old Testament, the conquest of Jericho gives us an example of how the «conquest» of hearts can happen through «obedient behaviour».
«By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another» (John 13:34 LUT).
Everyone – is everyone. If we want to be as effective as possible in pointing people to who Jesus is, we can do so by letting Jesus» love work among us. Surprisingly, it is not our words that draw the most attention to Jesus, but our walk in love. You can talk a lot – but you can only create a life of love with «Jesus inside» – Jesus inside us.
We also find an extremely vivid example of this in the Old Testament, among the people of Israel: The conquest of Jericho
What does Jericho stand for? Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world. At the time of our history, it was fortified with two rings of walls. The outer wall was 8 metres high and 2 metres wide. The inner wall was 3.5 metres wide. Jericho was considered impregnable. The name Jericho was derived from the moon god «Jerich», whom the inhabitants worshipped. Jericho is thus an image of the heart of a person who has turned away from God. Jericho also means «place of fragrance». It is a place where what is in the heart becomes visible. A fragrance of love or the stench of selfishness.
How can such a fortified city be conquered? How can a heart be conquered so that it opens up and the God of love can move in?
Part 1: The preparation
- Circumcision: «The LORD said to Joshua, «Take knives of flint and circumcise the Israelites again» » (Joshua 5:2 NLB). Circumcision means that everything that restricts fertility is removed. Circumcision took place with stone knives. For us, «circumcision» means the circumcision of our hearts, that everything that hinders us in our discipleship is removed. The Word of God shows us what we should separate ourselves from in our hearts. Those who want to conquer hearts must be prepared to listen to the Word of God.
- Passover: «While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal in the plain of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the 14th day of the first month» (Joshua 5:10 NLB). Remembering that we stand on the ground of the forgiveness and redemption of Jesus Christ. And that his sacrifice has set us free. We are free to follow!
- Food from the land: «On the day after the Passover, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain that they had harvested in the new land. From that day on, there was never again any manna and the Israelites fed on the fruit of Canaan that very year» (Joshua 5.11–12 NLB). The people were promised milk, honey, etc. in the Promised Land. Now they were also to feed on this land. Christ lives at the right hand of God. He is present in our lives through his Spirit. Now we are also to live from his presence and power.
- The sacred is where God is: «The commander of the LORD’s army replied, «Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. So Joshua obeyed» (Joshua 5:15 NLB). Recognising the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord of my life.
Part 2: The conquest
The conquest of the city is described in Joshua 6 and can be summarised as follows:
- The order of battle: The 600,000 soldiers are to go first, followed by 7 priests blowing the horns, followed by the Ark of the Covenant, followed by the rest of the people (approx. 2 million people)
- This crowd is to parade around the city once every 6 days: In silence.
- On the seventh day, the crowd is to march around the city seven times. When the priests blow their horns at the end, all the people will raise a war cry. Then the walls will collapse.
What did that mean for the inhabitants of Jericho at the time? They knew that God’s people had already defeated all the nations on the other side of the Jordan. Now a mass of people surrounded Jericho over a width of about 500‑1000 metres around the entire city. They only see people walking – with and without swords with the Ark of the Covenant in the centre.
Part 3: What does this mean for us?
- The warriors – or those with the sword – are those of us who pass on God’s word.
- At the centre is the Ark of the Covenant – Jesus Christ.
- Then comes the rest of the people. The walk of all Christians is seen. Everyone has the task of being a witness to hearts.
- You walk around the city once every 6 days: We are to be a testimony during the working week.
- They walk around the city 7 times on the 7th day. We are to be even more of a testimony on Sunday.
- The change is silent until the last moment: for a testimony, actions are more important than words.
- When the trumpet of the priests sounds, the people should raise a war cry. We meet in the church – then we should go out and pass on what Christ puts on our hearts.
- Then the walls of the hearts that have resisted God will open.
Thought back to us in the New Testament. What should our behaviour show, what should point to Christ? If we have love for one another, if we seek the good for one another, if we are involved and committed to one another. We can only do this if Christ lives in us.
If we have love for one another, this is proof that Christ really lives in us. What do you see in your and my change? «By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another» (John 13:34 LUT)
Possible questions for the small group
Bible text: John 13:34
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Jesus says: «By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another» (John 13:34; LUT)
How does love work? -
Who is the target group of love meant here?
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Before Israel marched around Jericho, the people were prepared fourfold. What does this mean for us in practical terms?
- Circumcision?
- Passover meal?
- Feeding on the promised land?
- Recognising that you are standing on holy ground?
- What do people outside see when they see our «change»? Can they recognise that Jesus lives in you? If so – by what?
