Israel 2022 - Reflection #13 - Tel Hazor

 

          Tel Hazor was another site, like Megiddo, I had no idea existed or how it fits into the Bible. So, I had to do a little research. With the help of our tour guide, Rami, and a couple of external sources, I was surprised about its significance.

The Canaanite city of Hazor was occupied over 4000 years ago and had a population of nearly 20,000 at its peak. There is clear evidence of the presence of the Canaanites including Pagan temples, and the King's palace. In the Bible, Joshua describes Hazor:

'And Joshua turned back at that time and captured

Hazor and struck its king with the sword, for Hazor

formerly was the head of all those kingdoms.

And they struck with the sword all who were in it,

devoting them to destruction; there was none left

that breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire.

'Joshua 11:10-11
https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JOS.11.10-11

The picture below, although not easy to see with the photograph, is clear evidence that this city was completely destroyed by FIRE around the 13th century BC. The experts have supported the presence of extreme fire and destruction within these walls. I love how the physical evidence and Biblical records fit together. 

 

          After the destruction of Hazor at the hands of Joshua, the city was rebuilt on top of these ruins and fortified by King Solomon. Evidence of the gates is still found at this site. The extensive water system is also still present. This town located on the northern end of the Kingdom would stand as an unsuccessful defense from Assyria. The town was completely destroyed again in 732 BC by the Assyrians as they overtook the Northern Kingdom. 

         I reread the account of Joshua and his ruthless battles against the enemies of God. In our culturally sensitive society, these battles of destruction and annihilation are NOT politically correct. I have to admit, I wince when I read about entire towns being wiped out and "there was nothing left that breathed." 

          There have been so many biblical scholars that have tried to reconcile the difference between the loving God found in Jesus Christ and the God of conquest and battle found in the Old Testament. I hate seeing anyone die that may be able to attain everlasting life through Jesus. The Canaanites completely rejected God, they worshipped false Gods and were dedicated to the destruction of God's people. The people of the Old Testament and leaders like Joshua were completely committed to saving God's people. Joshua defended the lives of those committed to God with ruthless abandon.

           As I explored the archaeological site, the highly developed water system, the fortifications, and the presence of the Canaanites. I had a moment to be able to reflect on the Old Testament and the history of our faith. It struck me how powerfully resilient our faith has been since the beginning of time. God has been so faithful. His patience and enduring love existed from the first days of creation and now, as adopted children in the nation of Israel, we experience that same patience and love.

          God wants all the nations of this world to come to him. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice. He suffered the same kind of ruthless death as the people of Hazor and countless other people of the Old Testament. The difference, he did nothing to deserve it. He was blameless and sinless. As this crazy world continues to reject God, we are not called to destroy them. We are not called to vengeance and judgment. We are called to love people. We are called to love our enemies. We are called to share the love of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. His death on the cross was final. Our job is to share that love and message. 

          I praise God for his love and his commitment to his people and to me personally. Thank you, Lord, for your love, patience, and enduring strength. Thank you for suffering a ruthless death for me and so that others would not have to suffer the same death. 

          I really can't remember what this picture represents. HAHA! I just thought it was interesting!

The Old Testament steps going down to the well were pretty treacherous. I liked the modern steps! 

It was a long way down. They had to dig this "tunnel" by hand and had no modern tools. They also had to bring up water the old-fashioned way, by hand!

The over-all look of the well. Pretty cool!

I think this picture was of the Pagan temple that had been excavated.

The palace excavation site is under roof. It was a welcome respite from the hot sun!

Israel - Reflection #12 - Tabgha - Church of the Multiplication

 

          I am constantly amazed at the number of people that are not followers of Jesus Christ. I have heard it said, it takes more faith to NOT believe than it does to believe in Jesus. As we visited sites in Israel, the evidence kept piling up higher and higher that this "Jesus thing" is real and amazing. Sometimes I get so impatient with non-believers that do not sense the same urgency I feel. The Israel trip has made me rethink my evangelism and given me a bold confidence in reaching out to the lost. 

          Churches were built almost IMMEDIATELY after Jesus' resurrection and then churches were built upon churches that were built upon other churches. This Church known as the Church of the Multiplication is one of those churches. This beautiful mosaic floor commemorates the place where Jesus fed the 5,000 and dates back to the fourth century(300AD). In the mosaic, the two fishes and the FOUR loaves are original to the fourth century. But, WHY ONLY FOUR LOAVES?  This was done on purpose. The altar, representing Jesus Christ, is considered to be the FIFTH LOAF. Isn't Jesus the BREAD OF LIFE? What an awesome way to commemorate this wonderful miracle!

Tabgha (Seven Springs) has significance for this wonderful miracle of Jesus, but it is also the accepted site of Jesus selecting Peter, James, and John. It is also the possible place the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples in John 21. 

'After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the
Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter
, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the
sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him,
“We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but
that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus
stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was
Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”
They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the
right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it,
and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity
of fish. 'John 21:1-6
https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.21.1-6

Our guide, Rami, told us about this event and how significant it is. 

Typically, fishermen throw their nets out on the left side of the boat, toward shallow water. The left side of the boat, in this case, would be facing the Jewish part of the lake. The "Other side" of the lake was the GENTILE side of the lake. When Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, he was giving them instructions that would have been very unorthodox. Yet, they could not haul in the nets because they were so loaded with fish. (John 21:4-6) 

Jesus was telling his disciples, once again, they would be "fishers of men" and those men would be in the vastness of the Gentile world.

I'm not much of a fisherman. I like it, but it just takes so much time with such marginal results. My son-in-law has recently been "net fishing" just like the disciples. Even this form of fishing can be tedious and takes patience casting the net time and again before you get results. Many times he just gives up and waits for a better day. 

What kind of "evangelist" am I? 

Do I go for one fish (person) at a time, or do I try for the big catch? 

I really don't know which is preferred, both of them take a lot of patience. We see the people that need Jesus, and we long to catch them in our nets or on our line, but it just takes time. We are pressed by the fact that we know time is short, and the return of Jesus is imminent. The world does not have that same sense of urgency. 

We can't give up. 

Please, Lord, give us a heart that is patient and focuses on loving people with all our might. The best bait for catching fish is "your love." Nothing else will do. The more we sense the urgency, that time is short, the more we should love people, the outcasts, and those rejected by society. Lord, give us a heart to love the unloveable so we can have a full boat!

Olive press (Gethsemane) outside the Church of the Multiplication.

Inside the Church of the Multiplication. Such a beautiful place.

This courtyard was used to baptize people before they went into the church during the Byzantine Period.

This is an adult baptismal used in the early 4th century to baptize people before they 

entered the church.

I'm not much

Israel - Reflection #11 - Mount of Beatitudes

Our tour guide, Rami, provided such a wealth of information and history of the sites we visited. He was such a great leader. Dr. Joseph and Dr. Levichiva also provided such a great spiritual framework for everything we saw. This certainly was true for our visit to the Mount of Beatitudes.

There is a little debate about exactly where this sermon took place. But it is generally accepted that it was near here and the Franciscans built this church and convent, not to mark a specific place, but to commemorate the wonderful words spoken by Jesus. 

This teaching from Matthew 5-7 or Luke 6, was radical. Even today, it is still pretty radical. Jesus was promoting a NEW way to live. At this time, in the Jewish culture, they had 613 laws they must observe. I cannot even imagine this. For thousands of years, since the time of Moses, we have tried to write down on paper what it means to be a child of God. We have tried to codify, make it easier, to know right from wrong. When we try to do this, it always gets more complicated.

Jesus was revolutionary, he brought a new simpler way of living. He taught living in a way that is completely counter-cultural.

Below is the opening of this wonderful Sermon:

' “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole
earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will
be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called
the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the
Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and
lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because
you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a
great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient
prophets were persecuted in the same way. 'Matthew 5:3-12https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.5.3-12

Rami told us we could translate "God blesses" as "I should envy you....."

Go back and read each of these verses with those words inserted into the scripture. 

Isn't it radical to think we should envy the poor, or those who mourn, or those who are humble?

Jesus wants us to look at life differently. 

One of my favorite bible passages comes from this wonderful discourse, Matthew 5:14-16

' “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that
cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a
basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives
light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good
deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your
heavenly Father. ' Matthew 5:14-16
https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.5.14-16

We are supposed to live differently. We are supposed to be the light on the hill. We are supposed to

live radically for Jesus. Our definition of GOOD should be different than the world's definition of Good.

I could not help but think about these specific verses as I looked out from the Mount of Beatitudes

gazing on Tiberias, the city on a hill. Praise God for his message to us!

A wonderful painting inside the Church of Beatitudes

Franciscan Church of the Beatitudes

I just love the flowering trees that surrounded this church.

One of the possible sites of the sermon on the mount. This area was deemed acoustically perfect to

speak to the thousands present on that day.

Israel 2022 - Reflection #10 - Magdala Part 2

 

The video is of the 1st-century synagogue uncovered as they were building a resort community along the sea of Galilee. This synagogue would have been a place where Jesus taught as he toured Galilee. 

Magdala is a wonderful archaeological site between Tiberias and Capernaum. It is understood to be Mary Magdalene's hometown. The grounds of this wonderful place are a mixture of the old and the new. The first-century synagogue and the local town with its ritual baths, marketplace, and storehouses are surrounded by a wonderful hotel and worship center. 

This site was an unexpected gem. I shared the video of the painting, but the entire worship center was a great reminder of Jesus' women disciples. Recently, I have been reading many of Jesus' interactions with women. My curiosity peaked when I read the book, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes.[1] Looking at the way Jesus elevated the prominence of women in a culture that treated women as servants, is so powerful. I love this verse:

'Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and
villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the
Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along
with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and
diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he
had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s
business manager; Susanna; and many others who were
contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his
disciples. ' Luke 8:1-3https://my.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.8.1-3

Just before these verses, Jesus is in the home of Simon the

Pharisee and graciously praises the actions of a woman who

washed the dust off his feet with her tears and wiped them with

her hair. (Luke 7:136-50)

I praise God for the strong women of faith in my life. The chief of those is my wife, Stephanie. She is not a bold brash, in-your-face Christian. She is a hands-on, loving, caring woman who, like Jesus, is attracted to the outcasts of society. She is constantly searching God's Word for insight and then looking at ways to apply what has been revealed. 

As I walked through Magdala, thought about Mary Magdalene, heard the presentation on the painting, and reflected on the women of the Bible, I could not help but praise God for the beauty he created in the women of my life. Thank you Lord!

[1] Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008), 186.

In the small town, uncovered through this dig site, there were many ritual baths. They are fed from an underground spring. If you look on the mountainside of the picture below the bath, you will see a line of trees in an otherwise stark hillside. The water follows that line of trees to feed these baths. It was a part of the first-century surroundings also.

A complete small town discovered here at Magdala would certainly have been a place where Jesus walked and taught. 

Israel 2022 - Reflection #9 - Magdala Painting

 

Our visit to Magdala was a highlight of the trip. I will share more about this amazing site in my next blog. The story surrounding this wonderful painting is definitely worth watching.  Please enjoy!

'Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side

of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the

shore. Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was

Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, pleading

fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please

come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding

around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years

with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many

doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had

to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had

gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up

behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she

thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” I

mmediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body

that she had been healed of her terrible condition. Jesus realized

at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned

around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” His

disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you.

How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” Then the frightened

woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her,

came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she

had done. But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go

in peace. Your suffering is over.” ' Mark 5:21-34 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/MRK.5.21-34