James Janzen

Jerusalem - A special place indeed

4/29/2019

Jerusalem, a special place for us to visit. During the visit we also learnt new things about why this city is special not only for different people but also a special place for God.

For Jews, according to tradition, it is the place where Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. It was Jerusalem that David chose as his capital and where Solomon built the Temple, the national centre of worship.

Such was the city’s importance in biblical times, that those who could not manage the strongly encouraged three times a year journey were advised to at least pray towards Jerusalem. It was believed that if they did so their prayer would be heard as if they were present in Jerusalem.. To this day, all synagogues face Jerusalem, so that Jewish prayers are directed there in accordance with that tradition.

Jews were in exile for 2,000 years, but kept Jerusalem’s memory intact as the symbol of national unity. As Psalm 137 declares: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth”, while every Passover, Jews say “Next year in Jerusalem”.

The Arabs consider the city of Jerusalem to be the third most holy city in Islam and the dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is a contested location..

For Christians, Jerusalem is where Christ preached, ate the Last Supper with his disciples before his death, where he was arrested, put on trial, condemned to death, crucified, and died, a man mocked and tortured by the occupying Romans. Jerusalem is a place of deep sorrow and utter desolation but also of hope and redemption. It is where his tomb was found empty and he rose from the dead. It is the sacred heart of the Christian story.

Jerusalem, though, is more than just a historic place. It has become a religious concept that transcends time taking on a redemptive significance, based on its root meaning – shalom - city of peace – with the hope that it becomes a place of harmony for all peoples and the capital of a world at one with itself. It is a metaphor for all that yearn for peace in this world and the next. No wonder God says to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” (Ps 122:6-7).

Jerusalem is an important location in prophesy,
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the (Torah) law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2).

There is also the promise of a new Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the ultimate dwelling place for God and redeemed mankind where there is no more death nor devil.
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:1,2).

Put it all together and Jerusalem is the primary place on earth in which, and through which God has, and will ultimately reveal Himself!

Fascinating therefore to walk the streets of this city and reflect on all this. But I was unaware till this trip that Jerusalem is the only place on our planet that God calls His place. God has chosen Jerusalem on the globe as His special habitation. This is written in many Scripture passages.
“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place” (Ps. 132:13).

The prophet Joel says, “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy…” (Joel 3:17).

Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. 1 Kings 11:36

And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem will I put my name.” . . . And the carved image of Asherah that he had made he set in the house of which the Lord said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever. 2 Kings 21:4, 7

Jerusalem is God’s city, His holy mountain! He has chosen it for His earthly dwelling place. A reason that those who love Him are drawn to this city.. And a reason that those who conspire against Him, also conspire against this place.

God said He would put His name here forever. In this age of computers and satellite imagery, this has taken on new meaning. Some feel that God has literally put a part of His signature in the geography of Jerusalem. The valleys form the Hebrew letter (shin) in a U-shape. Some would say this is no accident, because this letter forms the first part of God’s name, El Shaddai (the God who protects).

In order for you to understand this, we need to take time for a geography lesson. In so doing, you are joining our experience with our guide who often made reference to the valleys that surround the old city of Jerusalem. He said that being able to identify the valleys would help us orientate ourselves geographically as well as scripturally.

There are three main valleys in Jerusalem: Gehenna, Kidron, and Tyropoean. Over the years, these three valleys have provided a natural defence to Jerusalem on three sides.

The Hinnom Valley (also called Gehenna or Akeldama Valley) is south of Jerusalem. In later years, the valley was used for incinerating the corpses of criminals and unclean animals, and also as a place to burn garbage from the city. The Dung Gate, named for the direction of the wind to carry away the stench from the city, was situated here. From these practices, the Greek form “ge hinnom” (Gehenna) came into use as a synonym for Hell (Matthew 5:22-30). The burial place called Akeldama, meaning “field of blood,” was located in the eastern part of the Valley of Hinnom, and made famous by Judas (Matthew 27:3-10; Acts 1:16-19).

The second valley is the Kidron Valley, located on the north and east side of the city. Kidron Valley separates the city from the Mount of Olives. It forms a wadi (a ravine or channel) that eventually empties into the Dead Sea. Its name, meaning “dark” or “shady,” probably reflects its depth (at least 50 feet deeper then than it is today), and that it was much cooler than the heat generated from the stones in the city above it. It is believed that Psalm 23: 4 —valley of the shadow of death— refers to the Kidron Valley. It has been used as a cemetery since biblical times and many tombs are still built there today.
It was while passing through this valley that David heard the news of the defection of Ahithophel. "And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" (2 Sam. 15:31). The bitterness of this traitorous act of Ahithophel is commemorated by David in Psalm 55:12-14, "For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company."

It was here that David crossed the “Brook Kidron” when he fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23). The account of the flight is given in 2 Samuel 15. In that account we read: "And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness" (2 Sam. 15:23).

The final judgment of the nations in “the valley of Jehoshsaphat,” meaning “Yahweh judges,” is often identified with the Kidron Valley (Joel 3:2,12). After the Last Supper, Jesus led His disciples across the ravine Kidron to the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1). When He was arrested, they brought Him back through the valley to the residence of the High Priest. These events took place only four days after Jesus’ official entrance into the city, riding on a donkey across the Kidron Valley. This was a valley of death for Jesus as well.

Southeast of the Temple Mount, the Kidron joins the Tyropoean Valley, which passes down on the west side of the mount. The deep ravine formed by these valleys south of the city made a strong defense for David’s Jerusalem. The Kidron also provided the water resource for Jerusalem’s only spring, the Gihon Spring on the eastern slope.

The last valley of the three is the rugged Tyropoean, named by Josephus, a relatively shallow valley originating in the upper (northern) part of the city and passing down beside the western wall of the Temple Mount, eventually joining the Kidron Valley. This was the main street, or the shopping mall district of Jesus’ time.

These three deep valleys made Jerusalem feel safe and secure, as if God Himself were guarding it. Even Titus, the Roman General who destroyed the city in 70 A.D., said, “If it had not been for the internal dissensions, the city could never have been taken.” These valleys are not the defence they once were. In our modern era, the Tyropean is more of a plain than a valley.

But here is the interesting part. If you look at a map or a photograph of the area, who will see that the valleys form the Hebrew letter (shin)--ש. Some would say this is no accident. I leave you to decided but present the evidence these people give. This letter forms the first part of God’s name, El Shaddai (the God who protects). The Shin also represents God’s name, and was seen on the doorpost Mezuzah of many doorways in Israel - certainly all hotels and our airbnb. As Deuteronomy 6:9 commands, “write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

The Hebrew letter shin (ש) is an abbreviation for the name El Shaddai. Looking from above the letter shin appears—formed by the Kidron, the Hinnom and the Tyropoeon valleys. God has literally fulfilled His word!

Is the fingerprint of God on Jerusalem for all to see this literal? Maybe? Or just an unusual occurrence? Perhaps . . . perhaps not . . . but it is something quite remarkable to meditate on. But even if not that literal, the historical and modern day story validates the statement that “Jerusalem is the city where God has chosen to put His name.”

TAKEAWAY
All this is a reminder that God is not distant. He is very much involved in this world.

The repeated emphasis on His name shows that he is a God who cares about his identity and has made a long term commitment to humanity.

It shows his love since Jerusalem is the place where he came in the form of his son to not only pay the debt of our sins but also identify to the point of suffering and death with mankind.

His wisdom and sovereignty is seen in his detailed long range planning.

This trip was a reminder that truly ‘History is His Story’.

Source web links
https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/letter/jerusalem-place-god-chose/
http://www.minimannamoments.com/i-will-put-my-name-part-2/

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Geography 101 - Location, Location, Location Part 2 - Who is influencing whom?

3/28/2019

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The Via Maris (purple), King's Highway (red), and other ancient Levantine trade routes, c. 1300 BCE By Briangotts at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2261499

Where God placed Israel was no accident. Yet I have often wondered why God chose the land of Canaan as the place for his people. However, after the tour, I understand the strategic placement of the nation of Israel. As far as God was concerned, he placed Israel in “the center of the nations”.
“Thus says the Lord God: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Ezekiel 5:5

And from this I learnt a powerful lesson which I will share at the end of this blog.

During our tour I came to understand how throughout biblical history, the land of Israel sat in an amazingly strategic position. It was the only intercontinental land bridge between the superpowers of the ancient world. Through the length of the land of Israel ran the most important international highway of the Fertile Crescent called the Via Maris. It was the main route between Egypt and Mesopotamia and what the Egyptians called the Way of the Sea. The name, Way of the Sea, also appears in the bible in the prophetical passage found in Isaiah 9: 1 and the fulfillment of the prophecy in Matthew 4:15.
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. Isaiah 9:1 (ESV)

Any nation coming to or from Egypt, or traveling from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Aqaba, had to go through Israel. For many years, Israel remained at the crossroads for international imperialism, war, and trade. That brings us to the significance of Tel Megiddo - the third main stop of our first full day on the Bridges for Peace tour group.

A model of the ancient city is shown in the visitors center. This model shows the Israelite period, while the earlier periods lie below and could be raised by pressing a button. The north gate is seen in the front side. In the right-back side are the south stables (time of Solomon) and the water works.

If Caesarea Maritima was an illogical place to build, our second stop—Tel Megiddo—was the most natural place to build. It had all four critical elements. Food came from the surrounding fertile land, water from a nearby spring, natural defence from its location as the highest point in the area and main road access to the Via Maris. As an ancient city, Megiddo, was once an ancient city in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel. It’s location dominated the Aruna Pass (Wadi Ara or Megiddo Pass) which was the entrance to one of the few passes through the Carmel Mountains. This gave those who occupied Megiddo incredible power over the Via Maris.

According to tourist Israel the city is thought to have seen more battles than any other location in the world. Fortified cities were built upon the 10 acre summit of Megiddo Hill rising 21.33 meters above the valley.
At its prime Megiddo was ruled by King Solomon in the 10th century BC and visitors can see the remains of Solomon’s Gate (photos below) and what is believed to have been his stables.

A deep trench (above photo) was cut by the archaeologists in order to explore the different layers of Tel Megiddo. There are a total of 26 distinct layers of the city - starting from the Neolithic period (8300-4500 BC) on the hill's bedrock, up to the last layer of the Persian period (586-332BC). Each layer raised the height of the ground, thus increasing the height of the Tel from period to period.

An Iron Age underground waterworks system from the 10th century is evident with a 30 meter deep shaft and 70 meter long tunnel. This was built to protect the water supply from an army laying siege to the city. A large pit (photo LL) with 183 stairs leads down 36M to the 70M tunnel (photo LR) that connected the city to the spring under the bedrock. See photos below.

The tunnel is inclined such that the waters would flow from the spring to the bottom of the shaft, so the water could be drawn from the top of the shaft. Photo courtesy of Biblewalks.com

During our travels in Israel, we often saw the Bünting Clover Leaf Map, also known as The World in a Cloverleaf, (German title: "Die ganze Welt in einem Kleberblat”). It is seen in museums, on magnets, postcards, mugs - you name it. It is a historic mappa mundi drawn by the German Protestant pastor, theologist, and cartographer Heinrich Bünting. The map was published in his book Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae (Travel through Holy Scripture) in 1581.

It is a figurative illustration, in the manner of the medieval mappa mundi format, depicting the world via a clover shape.

The shape is a symbolization of the Christian Trinity and a component at the symbolization of the German city Hanover, where Bünting was born. The city of Jerusalem is represented as the centre, surrounded by three central continents, with some more areas of the world being accordingly illustrated separately from the clover.

Even bird migration speaks to Israel as a centre of the continents. This photo was taken at the Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary in Upper Galilee. It is a major stopover for birds migrating along the Syrian-African Rift Valley between Africa, Europe and Asia.

God placed Israel at the centre of the nations. He intended Israel to be a kingdom of priests. He told them about his intentions shortly after they had gone out of the land of Egypt.
On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Exodus 19:1,5-6 (ESV)

They were to take a mediatory role among the nations. However, Israel’s central position among the nations proved to be a double-edged sword. As world powers would travel through the land on the Via Maris, one of two things would occur:

God’s people would either influence the nations for the Lord.
The nations would influence Israel toward idolatry.

Any student of the bible knows that the latter happened. God’s people were swayed by the very nations God intended them to influence. Here is God’s lament about this.
“Thus says the Lord God: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. And she has rebelled against my rules by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries all around her; for they have rejected my rules and have not walked in my statutes. Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you are more turbulent than the nations that are all around you, and have not walked in my statutes or obeyed my rules, and have not even acted according to the rules of the nations that are all around you, therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, am against you. And I will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. And because of all your abominations I will do with you what I have never yet done, and the like of which I will never do again. Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers. And I will execute judgments on you, and any of you who survive I will scatter to all the winds. Ezekiel 5:5-10 (ESV)

TAKEAWAY
OUR LOCATION IS NO ACCIDENT
God has placed us where we are for His sovereign, deliberate purposes. We have our own Via Maris. Tel Megiddo and this highway remind us of our own opportunities and challenges.
We cannot even imagine what opportunities God’s providence has prepared for us today: Whom will we meet? Where will we go?

We need to ask ourself: Who is influencing whom?

============================================================ADDENDUM: FACTS CONCERNING MEGIDDO

Arabic name - “Governor’s Hill”
Guarded the Megiddo Pass
Place of the dividing line of the Via Maris

a. The break to the north went to Tyre, Sidon, Baalbek and Ugarit
b. The road east went to Damascus

The king was killed by Joshua - Joshua 12:21
Given to the tribe of Manasseh - Joshua 17:11; I Chronicles 7:29
The Canaanites retained control - Joshua 17:12; Judges 1:27
In the Fifth Solomonic District - I Kings 4:12
One of the three fortified cities of Solomon - I Kings 9:15
Here Ahaziah died after being smitten by Jehu - II Kings 9:27
Josiah killed - II Kings 23:29-30; II Chronicles 35:22-24; Zechariah 12:11
It will serve as the main area for the gathering grounds of the allies of the Antichrist in the Campaign of Armageddon - Revelation 16:12-16

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Geography 101 - Location, Location, Location

3/25/2019

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"Location, location, location" is a common mantra in real estate. It was also something that our guide stressed repeatedly in connection with the development of important cities and fortresses and took on personal significance at different times and locations during our time in Israel.
In Caesarea, on the first morning of our tour, our guide introduced a theme that he would develop throughout our time with him. Since location is key to understanding many aspects of biblical history, he did his best to makes sure that we would remember the four things that are needed for a city, palace, fortress: good water supply, a natural defence—usually a high point, proximity to a major road, and food supply.

Interestingly, our tour started at a place that violated all four of these criteria - Caesarea Maritima. This contradiction of the norm was also our introduction to Herod the Great whose influential presence in history would often reappear during our tour. His architectural achievements are stunning and highlight his creative genius and and ‘over the top’ approach to all things. Although of Arab origin, he was a practicing Jew. He launched many important building campaigns throughout Judea such as the rebuilding of the Temple begun in 19-20 BC the construction of palaces at Masada, Caesarea Maritima, and the Herodion near Bethlehem; and the building of aqueducts and roads throughout the region. He effectively ruled Palestine in cooperation with the Romans for over three decades, creating a stable period for growth and enterprise.

His personal life and kingship stand in stark contrast due to a dark and cruel streak in character. Ruthless, violent, brutal, he suffered from immense paranoia and mental instability—killed his father-in-law, several of his ten wives, and two of his sons. What kind of monster does that to his own family members?It is no surprise that Caesar Augustus reportedly quipped, “It is better to be Herod’s pig than son” (Macrobius, Saturnalia 2:4:2). The joke being, that since Herod was a Jew and would not eat pork, his pig would be safe. But his sons were not safe.

The oldest Roman Theater in Israel, with a seating capacity of 3,500 and where a dedicatory inscription was found reading: “Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea, has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a temple in honor of Tiberius”

Here at Caesarea Maritima we received the first glimpse of this paradoxical historical figure. After his introduction, I felt compelled to ask, “What made Herod build a harbour and city that would grow to have an estimated population of 125,000 despite the availability of water, food supply, natural fortifications and proximity to a main road?”
Aron shook his shoulders and said, “Who knows? Can anyone really understand who Herod was? Can anyone comprehend how that tortured creative mind worked and what compelled him to build all that he did?
Then he went on to tell us how Herod overcame each of the lacking components.
The water problem was solved by an aqueduct built by the Sixth and Tenth Legions to bring water from the Shuni Springs 7.5 km north at the base of Mount Carmel.

The lack of natural fortification was overcome by the construction of moat around the palace area and the creation of the harbour Sebastos with the massive breakwaters that provided safety for 300 ships. It was constructed on a coast that had no natural harbors and at its height served as one of the most impressive harbours of its time, rivaling Cleopatra’s harbor at Alexandria. Josephus wrote: “Although the location was generally unfavorable, [Herod] contended with the difficulties so well that the solidity of the construction could not be overcome by the sea, and its beauty seemed finished off without impediment.”
The harbour brought ships that connected the city to the rest of the world. It also made it worthwhile to build a road to connect to the Via Maris.

The food problem was solved by transporting food from farming areas to the east. All you need is money and man power, of which he had both.
Providing entertainment was important to Herod. In addition to a theatre and amphitheatre, Herod also had a Hippodrome constructed measuring about 900 feet long and 150 feet wide, it could seat about 15,000 and was used for chariot racing. Our guide pointed out the best seats - the end of the oval (see lower left0 where the turning occurred and where most accidents would take place.

The hippodrome was also the location of one of Herod’s last, and most cruel acts when he ordered that one person in every family should be slain so that the whole kingdom would be forced to mourn at the occasion of his death.

The Jewish historian Josephus records:
He commanded that all the principal men of the entire Jewish nation wheresoever they lived, should be called to him.
Accordingly, there were a great number that came, because the whole nation was called, and all men heard of this call, and death was the penalty of such as should despise the letters that were sent to call them.
And now the king was in a wild rage against them all, the innocent as well as those that had afforded him ground for accusations.
And when they were come, he ordered them all to be shut up in the hippodrome, and sent for his sister Salome, and her husband Alexas, and spoke thus to them:—“I shall die in a little time . . . but what principally troubles me is this, that I shall die without being lamented, and without such mourning as men usually expect at a king’s death.” . . . .
He took care, when he was departing out of this life, that the whole nation should be put into mourning, and indeed made desolate of their dearest kindred, when he gave order that one out of every family should be slain, although they had done nothing that was unjust, or against him, nor were they accused of any other crimes [Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 17:6:5-6].

Small wonder that some have described him as a “a total moral monster!”
Archaeologists have found prison cells in Herod’s praetorium (palace). They are located underneath the grill seen in the picture below. It seems that Paul spent at least two years of his life in Herod’s Palace and he may have been in these cells.
He (Felix) said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium. Acts 23:35 (ESV)
The palace, theatre and Hippodrome are in close proximity to each other. We only walked a few minutes to get from one to the other. Undoubtedly, at times, sounds of the chariot races and the crowds’ responses would have drifted to his cell.

While Paul was in his cell, just a few hundred metes away, Herod and his immediate circle of family, friends and political guests would have been indulging in self-gratification in a rock-cut pool (see rectangular area in the lower palace area surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Open to the water on three sides, this roofed in area would have been cool on even the hottest days.

TAKEAWAY
—The events of the New Testament listed above took place during a vibrant political, cultural and economic time in the nation of Israel. It was the first century equivalent of our life. Reading the gospel account, it seems that Philip and Paul were oblivious to the things that were important to many in Caesarea who must have seemed to be important people: big theatre events, the races in the Hippodrome, political advancement, culture. Instead they concerned themselves with the kingdom of God, the proclamation of the gospel—that which God reminds us in His Word is lasting and eternally significant.

—God can use us in our culture, just as he did Philip and Paul. In the big picture of God’s kingdom, it is the seemingly ‘unnoticed’ and ‘insignificant’ events of faithful Christians that is really important. God asked Luke to record what was of kingdom significance.

—The ability to visualize somewhat the context and surroundings of Paul’s two year prison time in Caesarea. The ‘stage’ that Paul reached an audience of some of the most important political figures of the day was a prison cell. One of them Felix, already had ‘a rather accurate knowledge of the Way,. and often invited Paul to talk. Only eternity will show us the impact of Paul’s preaching done ‘on location” as described in Acts 23-27.

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Acts 24:22-27 (ESV)

There is a lot to process as I think about Paul’s commitment to spreading the gospel and willingly embracing imprisonment as part of this commitment.

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The Gates of Hades

3/6/2019

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“If Christ spent most of his time in the small triangle created by the cities of Capernaum, Chorizon and Bethsaidaarea, why then did he then walk with his disciples more than 50 km north to Caesarea Philippi to ask them two questions?”

More than a day before our trip to the “Finger of the Galilee” in northern Israel our guide began asking us this question. It was repeated a number of times, every time in fact that he talked about the small triangle of Christ’s ministry. It was clear that he considered this visit to very significant. He certainly got my attention.

On the fourth day of our tour we arrived at the site above and listened as Matthew 16:13-16 was read.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Matthew 16:13-20

As we explored the site and listened to the history of the site, the special significance of Jesus’s trip became clearer and clearer. Here is what I learnt.

Caesarea Philippi's location was especially unique because it stood at the base of a cliff where spring water flowed. At one time, the water ran directly from the mouth of a cave set in the bottom of the cliff. Located in a lush area near the foot of Mount Hermon, the city was dominated by immoral activities and pagan worship. In Old Testament times, this northeastern area of Israel became a center for Baal worship. Later Caesarea Philippi became the religious center for worship of the Greek god, Pan. In the cliff that stood above the city, local people built shrines and temples to Pan. Years later, when Romans conquered the territory, Herod Philip rebuilt the city and named it after himself. But Caesarea Philippi continued to focus on worship of Greek gods.

Peter Fast, one of our hosts, reads Matthew 16:13-20

Gates of Hades. Originally water flowed from cave to river

To the pagan mind, the cave and spring water at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld, where fertility gods lived during the winter. They believed that their city was literally at the gates of the underworld, the gates of hell. The pagans of Jesus' day commonly believed that their fertility gods lived in the underworld during the winter and returned to earth each spring. They saw water as a symbol of the underworld and thought that their gods traveled to and from that world through caves.

In order to entice the return of their god, Pan, each year, the people of Caesarea Philippi engaged in horrible deeds, including prostitution and sexual interaction between humans and goats.

The Grotto of the god Pan

Since Caesarea Philippi was like a red-light district in the world of the disciples, the disciples may very well have been shocked to be brought to this area since devout Jews would have avoided any contact with the despicable acts committed there. Standing at what pagans considered a literal "Gate of Hades," the disciples may have been amazed at Jesus' statement to Peter.. They had studied under their rabbi for several years, and now he was commissioning them to a huge task: to attack evil, and to build the church on the very places that were most filled with moral corruption. Yet it was here in this pagan setting that Christ was to present a clear challenge and statement of power. The church of Jesus Christ would be a church that would be capable of overcoming the worst evils. The church was not to hide from evil but confront it.

Sitting in this location, I thought of how different these words would have sounded in Jerusalem or the Galilee where the population was primarily Jewish. The impact of the church on pagan culture would have been lost. As well, the church would have been seen as Jewish in nature. But here, the church was clearly presented as a solution for a pagan world. Christ brought his disciples here so that his words would have maximum impact. The church was for all people - Jews and Gentiles.

TAKEAWAY
—OFFENCE or DEFENCE Jesus presented a clear challenge with his words at Caesarea Philippi. His church (ekklēsia) would be an assembly of those ‘called out’ to confront a pagan world, not hide from it. When it comes to the battle against evil, are we on defence or offence?
— We do not need to fear the pagan world.
— Christ sees us as Overcomers.
— Christ, as master teacher, realized the power context and ‘moving’ the classroom
— Christ, as master teacher, knew how to use a visual aid
— Christ, as master teacher, knew how to make a point, even if it meant a long walk.
— New understanding of what has often been a confusing or meaningless passage for me

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Geography 101 - the triangle of Jesus ministry

2/27/2019

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"Think small"
"Adjust your mindset in terms of distance"
"Don't think Canada in terms of size"
Ongoing reminder from our tour guide and an ongoing process of adjustment for us. After all you can put Israel on the same sheet of paper as the whole Okanagan or all of British Columbia or even all of Canada. It is a matter of scale. So what did I learn as I adjusted to issues of scale.

GLOBAL MULTI-CULTURAL IMPACT GROWS OUT OF VERY LOCALIZED FOCUS
Part of the adjustment of scale included an understanding of the area of Jesus ministry. I did not realize that Jesus spent the majority of his ministry time within a small triangle at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee. The triangle is formed by three cities: Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Biblical scholar Daniel W. Casey (1) suggests that the total ministry time here was as high 80%. All 12 of his disciples, with the possible exception of Judas were from the Galilee area. This verifies the label given to the disciples in Acts 1:11 and 2:7, as "men of Galilee" or "Galileans". The Nelson Illustrated Bible Dictionary estimates that 18/33 of the recorded miracles were performed in this small area and 25/33 in the general Galilee area.

Jesus made his home in Capernaum, probably in the home of Peter. What struck me is the believed proximity of Peter's house to the synagogue. Even if it is not as believed, things would not have been far apart since Capernaum is thought to have only 1500 people at the time of Jesus. The house is close to the water which makes sense for a fisherman. As everywhere, people build on the ruins of the past. The synagogue, whose ruins are from the 4th century, is believed to have been built on the ruins of the synagogue present at the time of Jesus. A 5th century AD church was built over what the Christians at that time understood to be St. Peter's house. Today a modern church stands on top of it but built in such a way that a part of the original building can be seen.

Layout of Capernaum at the time of Jesus.

View from the synagogue looking over to supposed location of Peter's house.

The synagogue in the background. Picture taken from the supposed location of Peter's house shows foundations of buildings that would have been between synagogue and house.

Despite the surmises made, the reality of Jesus living in a city (town by our standards) among people became more real to me. The proximity of Peter's house and the synagogue to each other and the sea where Peter caught his fish and ran his business allowed me to envision Jesus being part of everyday life. On the Sabbath, the synagogue was an important place for him as indicated in the following passage. Yet at the same time he transitioned so naturally and quickly into the cares of every day life
And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 3“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. Luke 4:31-39 (ESV)

The more I study this, I begin to see Jesus's strategic plan. For three years, he will be the Rabbi (teacher) for twelve men he has chosen. He will live among the people in a small geographical area and call one place—Capernaum—his home. Certainly at the end of Christ's life it seemed that little had been accomplished. The cities he focussed on rejected him. One of the twelve betrayed him and the other eleven did not stand with him in his hour of greatest need and trial. Of course the resurrection was a great victory but only a few seemed to have believed. Yet it was to explode with the dramatic addition of 3000 when the disciple were empowered with the Holy Spirit..

View of the Sea of Galilee. All days were cloudy and rainy.

COMING TO GRIPS WITH THOSE WHO REJECT THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST
Even after seeing all these miracles, the citizens of these cities rejected the Son of God. I find that amazing but obviously had not read passages such as Matthew 11:20-24 and Luke 10:13-14 with the kind of understanding resulting from 'being on location'. My mindset—where Jesus was present and did great miracles, people believed. But NOT SO! In fact the rejection was so strong that Christ denounced them and warned that judgement on the rest paragons of wickedness—Tyre, Sidon, Sodom—would be more "bearable" at the Great Day than for them. This rejection puts contemporary rejection around us into perspective. Although we need to witness with wisdom, creativity, passion, clarity and integrity, we also need to realize that at some point, certain people, in their blindness and sinfulness, will reject the truths of Christ, no matter what. We need to feel no more guilt than Christ did at that point.

WE WILL ALL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WE ARE GIVEN
On the other hand, we need to feel the weight of responsibility concerning what we are given.
I echo George Robinson's observation.
It is a stunning warning to any who have seen first hand the goodness of the Lord and grown numb to it (He. 6:1-6). (3). It should be an arresting thought to covenant children who have never known a day that they were not aware of the manifold grace of God in Christ (Lk. 13:34, 35). And it should be a halting consideration to all ministers of the Gospel who can grow cold in their handling of holy things (Ja. 3:1).

BE FAITHFUL WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
Sometimes I have longed for a more wide reaching ministry than what I was given. But over the years God has quietly and repeatedly reminded me that I am to be faithful where he sends me and leave the rest up to him. I thank God for social media and other encounters that give me enough of a glimpse of what God is doing with what I gave him to be at peace. And I thank God for the present ministry which allows me to 'go deep' with a few key individuals and churches in Canada and Eurasia.

1 (http://www.seetheholyland.net/tag/el-tell)
2 (https://firstpresaugusta.org/resource/chorazin-bethsaida-capernaum-the-evangelical-triangle-mt-111-24-2/)
3) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:1-6 (ESV)

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Geography 101 - the triangle of Jesus ministry

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