Wilderness

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:1-13

We know well the story of the glorious baptism of Jesus, with clouds parting and God speaking. We love knowing that we are baptized with Jesus. We don't want to think about what often follows for us as well as for Jesus - wilderness, the vast lonely and dangerous places that surround one as a believer. There are times of deep doubt and great temptation for us all. We really don't know much about Jesus' 40 day wilderness experience, but we  know our own. And, if truthful, we know we give into temptation and curse the darkness. I know I have. Those times of wilderness prepare us to minister and serve. May we understand in a new way, that our wilderness experiences are not to toughen us up but to soften our hearts and send us to our knees.

Loving Creator, you made the wild places

teeming with vegetation and roaming animals

you provide us with deep shade and good food

and bring us to safe dwellings among friends.

We often fear what you have made for us

taming the wilderness and cutting it down

when the wilderness is your gift to us all

a place of deep discernment and faith.

Help us today to know our dark places

as times of your angelic presence with us

help us see those who minister in our weakness

and be those who lift the suffering up as well. Amen.