May 12

     In the natural order of things, the son of Zacharias would have been educated for the priesthood. But the training of the rabbinical schools would have unfitted him for his work. God did not send him to the teachers of theology to learn how to interpret the Scriptures. He called him to the desert, that he might learn of nature and nature's God.

     It was a lonely region where he found his home, in the midst of barren hills, wild ravines, and rocky caves. But it was his choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favourable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamour of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of Providence. The words of the angel to Zacharias had been often repeated to John by his God-fearing parents. From childhood his mission had been kept before him, and he had accepted the holy trust. To him the solitude of the desert was a welcome escape from society in which suspicion, unbelief, and impurity had become well-nigh all-pervading. He distrusted his own power to withstand temptation, and shrank from constant contact with sin, lest he should lose the sense of its exceeding sinfulness.

          Desire of Ages, page 102 from the chapter, 'The voice in the wilderness'

     If you have been with us for the last few weeks and months you will have learned that God could have arranged for Jesus to go to the best of universities – but sent him to Nazareth instead.

     Now we hear that God arranged for John, who was to be called the Baptist, into the desert.

     Your picture of a desert is sand and unremitting sun. The desert of Judea is a rocky desert, and because it is so far below sea level the sun is rarely seen because of the haze that obscures our closest star. John was sent into that environment to learn of pure things.

     Yesterday I was following a thread on Facebook and noted a call to complete simplicity, my heart began to respond. Then I noted other compelling calls to pray for the worldwide mission to the cities.

     Do I run from danger to the desert or do I run into the cities to serve? Please note that in both cases, that of Jesus and that of John, the time of preparation was undertaken in isolated areas. The evangelistic task was undertaken away from the peace of the desert in the white heat of personal ministry for the lost sheep of Israel.

     Aim for both. Seek to gain the preparation for you and your children by gaining power from God in the peace of safe surroundings. Then look to God’s strength as you share God’s love for the world.

     Jerusalem, the new Jerusalem, has been what we are hearing about as Bryn choose our songs. Today we have the Hoppers singing, ‘Jerusalem’ – but not the version you may be thinking of. Please click on the picture to listen