Scripture: Joshua 3:1-6, Matthew 3:13, 4:1-2, What would the new homeland be like? God's people were terrified. They refused to believe God's faithfulness and they wandered in the desert for 40 years. Their wilderness was a land of sin and death. God does not want us in the wilderness but in His promised land of heaven. The Israelites went through the River Jordan, from a wilderness of death and were led by God to the Promised Land. Our wilderness is this world, where we are given God's promises of eternal life. From the baptismal waters, we are led by Christ to our prepared rooms and the heavenly feast. As for now, we get to spy out our promised land in the Divine Service.