We traveled down the mountain from the Herodium. All we could see was miles and miles of desert. In the middle of this barren desert, the bus driver pulled to the side of the road, turned off the engine, got off the bus and opened the hood. He climbed back inside, made a phone call and talked to our guide. Our bus had broken down, but a replacement was on its way.
There was no place to hide from the stinging hot sun. No motor, no a/c. The doors of the bus were opened. Flies entered. Lots of flies. People used this as a Kodak moment (or Kodak hours). I took some pictures from my window of a herd of sheep and a herd of camels as they passed. Other people got off the bus to take closeup pictures and videos of the herds. No one complained. That’s right! No complaints. One of the papers we signed to go on this tour said we agreed not to whine or complain, no matter what, and we didn’t.
We were reminded that this was where John the Baptist lived and preached. I thought again of the camel hair clothing and the leather belt. How did he have the presence of mind to preach? I didn’t complain but I wanted to. I took a few pictures, journaled and swatted flies.
Jesus said of John, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).
John, the forerunner of Christ, prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry, yet he was an unsung hero in a wilderness land. I thought to myself, if John could give testimony of the gospel in unpleasant circumstances, certainly I could do something in more blessed surroundings. I wonder what John would think of me writing in an air-conditioned home with a ceiling fan whirling around. He might call me a wimp, and he would have good reason to.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you are with us in all circumstances. Help us to bear fruit in response to the salvation you bought for us. Many say it’s free, but Jesus paid for it with His life. May we never, ever take it for granted, but love and show mercy to others as Jesus would. In His great name we pray, Amen.
A Closer Walk with God 