The Desert

When we hear the term desert I am sure images of sand and sand dunes probably come to mind. There is, however, a variety of deserts. Many years ago a then town Board Chair for the Town of Delton referred to pine plantations as pine deserts. The implication is that mono-culture is not very good. There is something to be said for bio-diversity. To the eye a desert is barren, and our thoughts turn to its lack of life and the difficulty of survival not only due to heat and sun, but little water. Most of us can relate to this image of a desert. But, deserts contain more than meets the eye, or our first impression.  This is the case with John the Baptist.

Burial place of the head of John the Baptist

John is present in the Gospel reading of this second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2017. Here is a man clothed in camel’s hair, with the reading noting the detail of him wearing a leather belt. This scripture passage lists locusts and wild honey as his main diet. If one were to think of a modern day American version, it is likely the guy that lives in a van down by the river. To get an image of John the Baptist, beyond his clothes and diet, think how a person would look after having spent a great deal of time in the desert.  His skin would b e wrinkled and leathery from the desert winds and sun. His hair and beard would have been long and unkempt, and probably full of sand.  He is not the man one would tend to think highly of, at least from first impressions. He ws an eccentric that one would try and avoid.

Rock on which the first temptation of Christ occurred

Jesus undertook a two day walk from Jerusalem to the Jordan River, and it is in that river where he was baptized by John the Baptist. John was likely a member of the Essene group, a group of strict observing Jews who lived in Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.  The Judaean desert lay east of Jerusalem and Bethlehem and extends to the Dead Sea.  Jesus spent a great deal of time in this desert. His parable of the Good Samaritan takes place on the path between Jerusalem and Jericho. After his baptism by John in the Jordan River, he fasted for forty days and nights in the desert of Judea.  During this time, the devil tempted Christ on a mountain just outside Jericho. I traveled through this desert in April 2013.

Place of Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist
Jordan

As I traveled through the desert, my mind turned to the time of Christ and I imagined what lie would be like in such an environment.  But, more recently I wondered how each of us has our own desert, at some point in our life.  This desert can be doubt, vanity, hubris, or a prejudice that blinds our mind and action to better things. These thoughts or prejudices can leave us barren. We form first impressions--and these may well guide us, but they could also misinform us. We put up our guard to avoid the true situation. Last week while in Bangladesh, Pope Francis made note that “The presence of God today is also called Rohingya.” It does not matter if it is a refugee, a poor soul seeking help in the food pantry. Yet, there is the spiritually poor, those souls who regardless of wealth, who go about their lives with little intent on engaging Jesus Christ.  Or, to use a more common term the "poor in spirit.”

Excavation of Essene Settlement at Qumran

The Judaean desert in some respects has changed from over 2000 years ago, but in others it is probably very similar. Its nearby communities have spread further into its sands, the Bedouins have generators and antennas, and paved roads have replaced trodden camel paths. Yet, the wind still blows the sand, and wind erodes the rock. The desert can be a positive, to turn thoughts to what is really important, not unlike what the desert hermits and monks have done for centuries.  Can we see it as a metaphor for ourselves, particularly during those times when our hearts, and minds look to prejudice, hubris, or first impressions?  When that occurs, it is a time to reflect on John the Baptist and his preaching on the arrival of Christ. If we think, and act, and do service for others we find that underlying life in our deserts will provide vital diversity to who we actually are.

Jericho Monastery of the Temptation of Christ

Photos by author in April 2013