What People Need

This morning started with a visit to Beth She’an (House of Quiet). Rather than entering the main entrance of the city, we ascended a hilltop behind the city and gazed behind us to see the Trans-Jordanian Mountains. Before them were the most fertile plains in all of Israel and its young, vibrant crops. We pressed on to the crest of the hilltop and the site of Beth She’an un-furled before us. As we soaked in the impressive layout and features of this city, it was appar-ent that the lavish city built by Rome, which housed temples to Dionysius and Asclepius, clashed harshly with the simple land provided by God. On one hand was the most fertile land in all the country, and on the other was a strong reminder of Rome’s quiet arrogance. We were asked the question, “How would you convince a citizen of Beth She’an that they need the one true God?”

Later in the day, we reached the top of a steep mountain on the outskirts of the Golan Heights. With the opulence of Beth She’an fresh on our minds, the top of this mountain yielded a surprising picture. The sparkling Sea of Galilee was in the background as we witnessed the sprawling outline of Susita. This place was mentioned in the Bible as Decapolis, and it offered everything that Beth She’an did - except well above the land! The colored columns and finishes boasting of the finest craftsmanship were rivaled by the technology present. A fitted piping system for water and Roman style roads were prevalent even in this lofty, decadent settlement. Remnants of shops were seen, and the Crusader church was built over what would have formerly been a temple to false gods.

After viewing both of these two sites, there was a huge contrast between the humble areas where Jesus mostly ministered and these booming, Hellenistic cities. It is certain that Beth She’an and Decapolis offered the best products and modern conveniences. However, what it was lacking was what people needed - the one true God!

The third city we visited today was the town of Bethsaida. Andrew, James, John, and Simon Peter, four of the twelve disciples, came from this little fishing town. Before Christ met them, they were just fishermen. However, Christ promised to make this hometown pack fishers of men. Can you imagine them telling others about how they met Christ and how He changed their lives? If the truth is told, if it weren’t for these fishermen with a small-town loyalty to Jesus, would we even know who Christ is?

As the evening came to a close, we made one last stop - the Jordan River. Here we witnessed three from our group get baptized as we cheered and encouraged them! We discussed how the Israelites crossed over the river on a promise from God and steps of faith. Their faith also tells a story - one of an unlikely people, an impossible situation, and a God that is good.

Today was about what people need - not the luxuries of life in cities of the past. People need a relationship with Christ, but they won’t get that unless they hear our story. They need to hear how we were broken, enslaved, and doomed, and how Christ fixed us. Those men from Beth-saida…although from a common upbringing and a simple town, they knew what people needed. Today was about being reminded that if we’re going to be disciples of Jesus, people need to hear about our lives and hearts being changed by His redeeming love and victory over sin.