Day 10 - Cappadocia

Although it feels like just yesterday we were sitting in the ancient theater of Miletus with a large group of strangers, we’ve finally reached the end of our time together here in Turkey. 

Day 10, which included Marty’s final set of teachings and a few more cultural experiences, began with us gathering together inside of an old cave church overlooking an amazing valley. For eight days we learned much about the Text, historical and cultural context, 1st century discipleship, and how we’re going to take these things home with us to bring shalom to chaos. We shifted the focus in the last two days however to the early church and the ensuing history of it. 

We wrestled with the realities of persecution. How many Christians were met with great persecution and had to flee to live in caves and holes in the ground, just so that the faith we have today could survive. Just a few hundred years later when Christianity isn’t only legal, but becomes incentivized, we were given the handle end of the sword and have had it for some time now. Not to be too cynical, but church history shows the ways we have abused that power.  

Yet even in our current western context, we should be confronted by the words of our own Rabbi when he says “if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” What do we do with that? It’s not exactly our experience.

The challenge to us was this: don’t view suffering as an individualistic commodity. Because Paul says, “If one [body] part suffers, every part suffers with it.” 

The body of Christ suffers. We belong to that suffering. 

And based on what we’ve learned about the Gospel, it’s worth asking if we should just stop at identifying with the suffering of fellow Christians? By no means. We should be associating with all kinds of people who endure suffering. If that’s not Jesus, then I’m not sure what is. 

As a closing to our convicting final message, Marty reminded the group of the concept that when a disciple follows his rabbi, the goal is to be so close that you get covered in the dust that they kick up with their feet. We took turns stepping in front of our informal rabbi, as he threw some dirt on each of our shoes and reminded us to stay dusty when we go back home.

We all will return home to different contexts where we have to apply these life changing truths differently. Regardless of what good comes our way or what challenges we face, we bless God for Marty’s leadership and commit ourselves to giving our whole lives to our Rabbi, Jesus.