The Oasis

In my childhood home, there was [what we called] the "landing" at the top of the basement steps. It was a great place to throw dirty clothes instead of taking them all the way down the stairs to the washing machine.  Of course, the "older me" understands the real purpose of a landing – it’s a place to catch your breath when climbing stairs.

 

Eighteen miles from Jerusalem, some 1,200 feet below sea level and the lowest place on earth, is an oasis called Jericho.  Along the deep canyon between Jerusalem and Jericho are fresh water springs. With a spring that releases 1,000 gallons of water per minute, this oasis has rightly been called the City of a Thousand Palms.  Jericho is home to the papaya and the sycamore tree where Zacchaeus made his famous climb to see Jesus.  Mary's father, Joachim, was a native of this ancient city.  There are six monasteries built along the huge canyon between Jericho and Jerusalem; most are Greek Orthodox.  Numerous caves can be seen along the canyon, believed to be where Elijah hid from the evil Queen Jezebel.  Jericho was conquered by Joshua and left as rubble for most of the Old Testament. Jericho was my biggest surprise when I visited Israel: I was shocked at its lush beauty among such a dry rocky landscape.  Life easily dries our spirits and parches our souls, leaving us thirsting for refreshment and looking for that “landing” for rest.  Psalm 71:21 says The Father will "comfort me on every side."  Every side comforted -- that's all around us!  There's lots of water at Jericho; there seems to be water everywhere!  That's what God is to the tired & weary ... an Oasis for the soul!