Dry Riverbeds
Just outside of Jericho is a place called the WADI-QELT. It’s a dry riverbed formerly known as “The Prophet’s Highway.” It runs from Jerusalem to Jericho, and all the great prophets, including Jesus, knew this roadway well.
It was a tricky place, because the threat of flash floods and attack by robbers was always looming on a traveler’s mind. If it rained in Jerusalem, a flash flood could sweep down the wadi and wipe out travelers and animals on its path—and Jesus was talking about this path when He told the story of The Good Samaritan who was beaten by robbers and left for dead.
In addition to floods and robbers, the path was exhausting to travel. Jesus would have walked this path many times, and although it was the distance of 13 miles, it took over 9 hours to get from one city to the other because of the difficult hills and inclines.
We all have our own Wadi-Qelt paths that include flash floods, robbers and thieves and weary travel that demands spiritual grit.
Flash floods are difficult because there’s no warning. They rush through our lives and often wipe things out. During the flood, you may feel like you’re drowning, but flash floods also clear out old vegetation and bring new landscapes.
In Mark 10:46-52 we see a story about Jesus on the Wadi-Qelt. He heals a blind man named Bartimaeus whose life changed in the flood of a moment. He leaves his old cloak behind and follows Jesus on this road even though he doesn’t know what’s coming next or where he is now going. He’s with Jesus, and that’s all he needed for new life.
Robbers and thieves were always present on this road because there were so many good places to hide. In Luke 10:30 Jesus describes a man stripped, beaten and robbed on the Wadi. Has a robber stolen from your life? It’s not just physical stealing, but emotional and spiritual theft! Here are some tips for recovering:
· If something happened in your life that left a wound and it still produces a negative reaction whenever you think about it, it’s a hidden thief who is continuing to steal from you long after the event has passed. Have you forgiven both yourself and the perpetrator? Forgiveness is powerful when it comes to freedom. It’s different from restoration, which is not healthy in many instances (sometimes you need to stay away from the person or situation that caused you harm) but the forgiveness is internal, and Jesus helps us to forgive.
· Don’t give away more than the devil is trying to take!
· Fight back and fight smart. Your best weapons are faith, scripture, prayer and praise.
The path of the Wadi Qelt is long and tiring. We call this Holy Exertion. We need to exercise our spiritual muscles and not get tired. It’s not the time to grow weary, it’s the time to grow strong. We need spirit-filled stamina, not more “me-time!”
Jesus and the disciples walked this path often, and although tired, He still stopped to heal and minister. When thinking about this path we see two insights:
Jericho represents new territory and promises. It was after the walls fell at Jericho that the Israelites stopped eating the manna and ate from the fruit of the promised land. Some of us are still eating old manna from a different land instead of new fruit from the land of promise.
Jerusalem represents a death to selfish and fearful living. When the disciples walked with Jesus for the last time on the Wadi-Qelt, they didn’t know what they were about to face. The last time they were together on this path was Palm Sunday, and days later Jesus was carrying a cross. In the span of a few months these weak and fearful disciples became the dynamic leaders of the new church!
Gutsy Faith Challenge:
Where do you see yourself on the Wadi-Qelt Road of your life? Are you fresh from a flash flood or a robber? Are you weary from “holy exertion” and a long road of perseverance? How can walking with Jesus on this path lighten the load?
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