the wilderness

So we take weekly field trips to cool sites near Jerusalem. This last Monday we ventured to down to Jericho - down to -850 feet below-sea-level Jericho. We saw Herod's temple site, the spring Elisha healed, and the Judean Wilderness after walking along what is believed to be the ancient highway Christ walked along when traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem.

That behind me is one of Herod's temples mid-excavation. It was at this temple that he murdered Aristobulus and, eventually, died of anything and everything you wouldn't want: stomach cancer (probably), boils, body odor, a "gnarly rash" (as just said by my friend Stephen sitting next to me)...bless Herod's heart.

This I really love. It's the Judean Wilderness. It was fascinating to walk along an old, dusty trail to a lookout that provided this view. Looking at this (I just wish you could see it in real life - it's incredibly vast), picture being out there all alone - all alone and fasting. Then, after having fasted for over a month, imagine the one and only adversary coming around to chat.

Bleh.

Such a simple setting, really, but one that had a powerful affect on me. The wilderness had a sacredness to it, which makes sense, considering it was a place of retreat for the Savior to commune with His Father. We all have places like that, too, no? Temples, mountain tops, front porches, bedsides. I am just grateful for Christ's example in finding solitude to be with God, and in overcoming temptation.

A wilderness symbolizes perfectly the dreariness that is associated with temptation and sin, but clearly Jesus Christ triumphed over Satan, and because He did, no matter how alone we may feel in the face of the adversary, we will, too.

I love finding Him here. 

I know He lives.