Holy Ground, Hard Ground

So last week, Dr.

Pace began the series, and we focused on Bethlehem.

where the birthplace of Jesus and the significance for us is that we need a shepherd.

We need a shepherd to feed us, to fix us, and to find us.

And so today, we're going to look at the wilderness.

Will you join me in prayer? God, open us up to hear your word.

to feel your word come alive in our hearts and minds.

And then, oh God, help us carry your word with us as we share it with others.

In Christ's name we pray, amen.

In your bulletin, there's a map of the wilderness.

And so within your Judean map, I want you to look at right in the center where the Judea is circled.

And it's situated between the hill country of Judah to the west and to the Dead Sea to the right.

It runs about 60 miles north and south, and it's just narrow from east to west, right? But the elevation drop is over 3,600 feet.

It leads all the way down to the Dead Sea, which is at 1,200 feet below sea level.

The terrain is rocky with minimal rain, so minimal vegetation.

It's mostly infertile.

And there are many valleys that they call wadis, W-A-D-I-S.

It is hot, it is isolated, and there is no buckies at mile 58.

The wilderness is also where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

where John the Baptist lived and ministered, and where he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.

And then Jesus immediately was led by the Spirit into this place, into the wilderness.

From the beginning of Scripture and woven throughout all of Scripture, the wilderness is woven.

See, the Garden of Eden itself was carved out of the wilderness.

Adam and Eve were cast out of paradise into an unknown wilderness.

Abraham was called to leave everything and go into an unknown destination.