The Sixth Sunday of Easter - John 14:15-21 - The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr
The Dead Sea sits between Israel and Jordan. It’s one of the most unusual bodies of water on earth. First of all, its shoreline sits about 1,400 feet below sea level making it one of the lowest places on earth. The sea is about 10 times saltier than the ocean. Because of all the salt, you can float effortlessly. The water feels thick and almost oily. Salt crystals form along the edges like white rocks. Almost nothing lives there. While there are microorganisms that can survive, compared to other waters, it cannot sustain life – no fish, no plants, no ecosystem like a normal body of water. It’s a strange thing – a place that is full but not alive. This image of the Dead Sea can say something to us. The problem isn’t that the Dead Sea is lacking anything. The Jordan River flows into the sea, constantly bringing it fresh water. The problem is that the Dead Sea has no outlet. While the Jordan flows into it, the water stays there. It receives but never goes anywhere. So here’s the...