Can anything good come from Nazerath?

Sunday in Nazareth: Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?
So after not having internet for two nights, I am back at the keyboard! Sunday in Nazareth started with this question being asked by James as we were sitting at the breakfast table. I was feeling a heck of a lot healthier, and I smiled and exclaimed, “This Chocolate milk is what is good from Nazerath!” After being sick for a few days and trying desperately to find some sort of comfort food, this milk felt like manna from heaven =)
As we left Nazareth, we would move on to Sepphoris, which was the Capital of Galilee. Our time in Galilee was now beginning. It was a typical Roman looking ruin, but the outstanding feature was the extensive mosaics that they had. One told Old Testament stories and another was just very ornate. A group of us went into to a building that was a perfect square, and then we got separated from the group. It worked out that, because we found everyone else.
Hal posed an interesting idea that captured my imagination as we were driving there. He mentioned the idea of how we as Christians have adapted our own “sympathetic magic” in which we can control God. This is from the idea that Sacrifices or magic could be used to force your own will. He mentioned how we as Christians often times try to use speaking in tongues and name it and claim it approaches to try and get what we want. It was really affirming to me because I have always tried to line my will up with Jesus’, whose will is lined up with the father (Gardner-Vine-Branch idea).
After Sepphoris, we stopped at Chorazin, which was one of the cities that Jesus pronounced judgment on. Ironically, one vivid memory of that place was the fact that the ruins were all blackened, as if they looked burned.
Sunday was really busy, so I am going to move from site to site. We went to the Mount where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. This has been the most profound moment for me as I sat on the hill. Hall read the scriptures, and I felt as if I was on holy ground. There are buildings and debris around, but I was able to block that out and look over the Galilee and think about what was being said. After the lesson, Hal discussed the idea of how rabbis debate, and that they spend so much time arguing and claiming that they are right and the other is wrong. What really struck me is how life has not changed, and that Christians do that. I started thinking about discussions I have had with people over my time in seminary, and realize that I have not had as much intelligent discussion as I had hoped. Most of it is someone telling me that they are right and I am wrong, or not listening because they want to talk. It is really disappointing, but I tend to wonder if Christians talked with me as much about what God is doing in our lives rather than enquiring about my dating life, how much more intelligent we would be with our faiths.
After that, we ventured over to Bethsaida. This was the place that claims to be Jesus’ hub of ministry. So being able to see the multi-roomed ruins gave us an idea of what Jesus could have lived in. The truth is that that there was not much left to see, with exception to a columned ruin of a synagogue and a few houses. That was disappointing, but knowing that you were standing where Jesus could have operated out of was really mind-boggling.
The final part of the night that really stood out to me was the boat ride on the Galilee. The Galilee is not as huge as most seas, but it is big enough that you cannot see all sides. As we sputtered out to the middle of the sea, they cut the engine and we had time to worship and receive a devotion from Dr. Pannell. He taught on the closing chapters of John, with Jesus asking Peter if he loved him three times. It was powerful, not just because of the reference to shepherding as a Christian leader, but it reinforced why I do these crazy language classes. In the English bibles, you simply see the word “love” when Jesus uses “Agape” two times and then “Philos” the third. Peter responds by using “Philos” all times, even to Jesus asking about “Agape.” That was huge, and it really hit home for me. As we closed, we prayed for direction, and I felt a strong sense to go the course that I am. For those that don’t know, ask me.
So that was the longest day of our trip, when we got back I went right to sleep because that is what I wanted to do. The lesson that I learned today is definitely find a way to locate comfort foods while oversees. You will never know when you will see it next, so buy it while you can.
Monday
We started our day at Hazor, which was best described by yet another bottomless pit! Okay, so maybe it had a bottom, because we found it. But I am finding that many of these major ruins have giant cisterns that are placed randomly in the city.
After this, we moved on to the springs of Dan. This has to be one of the most amazing stops thus far. It was a jungle set in the middle of no where and possible the most inspiring place. It would be an amazing place for God time/journaling. Whether it was the walking through the rushing waters from the spring or taking in a scene straight out of Hollywood, trooping through the lush growth is something I could do all day. I probably should not have drank the water though! I am not sick yet, so we will see.
Caesarea Philipi was the final stop that day. We first walked over to an old temple of Pan, a pagan God. I was memorized by the small channels of water flowing from an unknown source. We at times had to step over these channels as they rushed at us. There was not much left of the temple, though there were some inscriptions and a few holes in the mountain. We ended our time at Caesarea Philipi by taking a hike through the woods in the area. The highlight for me was standing under a waterfall from the spring. It was soooooo cold!
When we came back, a group of us went down to the Galilee for a swim. That last a whole 10 minutes! Even though it was 90 degrees out, it was way too cold to go swimming! But I tackled Daniel anyway, and got soaked. I just wish a beach would have been open, more people probably would have come (though I had fun with the group).
Tuesday
We started our day today at Megiddo… as in the place of Armageddon! I cannot believe that place has been conquered in the range of 25 times. I am sure that it has some redeeming value, I was just hard pressed to find why it would get conquered so much. But what was apparent is that it is a point of contention. As Cindy gave her devotion and she used my Bible, Hal claimed that my Bible was probably the one that was too big to be used in the Temple! Thanks Hal. I just laughed, and it worked out that I picked up a Jerusalem Bible today that has wood panels on the cover and an engraving on the front. It was time to have a small Bible as well. So when travelling, please remember to pack small, discrete looking Bibles. They are not only easier to manipulate, but they will not be called “weapons” by Muslim security forces. Also, the tour guide will not poke fun at you.
Caesarea Maritima was the next site today, in which I gave my devotion. Caesarea is a very interesting city, so if you do not know about it, you should look it up. Herod had it build from a fishing village to a seaport in 10 years. The reconstruction videos made the city look breathtaking. The ruins that were left behind, such as the Hippodrome, the gate, and the amphitheatre show a well thought out city that would have been a worthy capital city.
Venturing back to Jerusalem, we wrapped up our day in the Garden Tomb. This is one of the places suggested that Jesus could have been buried. We took communion, which one of our own gave, and it was the most powerful communion that I have every taken. But having gone into the tomb, and looked at where “the Skull” could have been was sobering. I definitely walked away feeling a deeper respect for our Lord because of today.
Before we push off to the Jordan, I felt it was necessary to get some pizza today. I think I earned some comfort food, and then Daniel and I explored a little bit of the city. But being that it is 1130, I should probably go to bed. Good night, and I will talk soon. Shaloam!
Jason