Series Builders | Traditions

The desert, nature's most extreme wilderness, is an appropriate setting for spiritual testing, as exemplified by Jesus in Luke 4. A desert is also a strong metaphor for a number of other biblical truths, such as: Illusions. Like the younger brother in the prodigal son story, when we are searching in the wilderness, sometimes deceptions, or mirages, can look real. But when we go in search of these false oases, they disappear, and we are left hungry. (Luke 15:11-32)

Living Water. When Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman at the well, he offered her "living water" that would quench her thirst forever. (John 4:4-14) Pain. Like Job and the Israelites in the wilderness, we each go through times of pain, suffering and desert wilderness. (Job, Ex 12:31-18:27, James 5:10-11) Salvation. When we find ourselves away from the pack and lost in the wilderness, it is the Good Shepherd who comes to save us. (Luke 15:3-7)