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Bridgeway Christian Church Presents:
September 8-19, 2017
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A day of contrasts
Today was a day of contrasts. We started and ended our days at two giant Roman cities, Scythopolis (Bet Shean) and Caesarea Maritima. Home to Herod and other Roman big-hitters of Jesus’ time, they were stunning with their bath houses, shopping centers, temples of idol worship, theater, and culture. They were pleasing to the eye, with every opportunity for pleasure and desires of the flesh. Yet, in between these cities we visited Nazareth, the humble hometown of Jesus. We stood on top of a cliff overlooking the Jezreel valley, learning of the prophesies of Jesus, the branch from the root of David to grow a new tree. We envisioned the small town of 200 in Jesus’ time.
Beth Shean
Located 17 miles (27 km) south of the Sea of Galilee, Beth Shean is situated at the strategic junction of the Harod and Jordan Valleys. The fertility of the land and the abundance of water led the Jewish sages to say, “If the Garden of Eden is in the land of Israel, then its gate is Beth Shean.” It is no surprise then that the site has been almost continuously settled from the Chalcolithic period to the present.
This contrast hit hard because after visiting the small, simple towns of Nazareth, Capernaum, and Galilee, these Roman cities were absolutely stunning in size and grandeur. Our day today represented the draw toward these Roman cities, the draw toward culture, and away from Jesus, from his calling, from his life. How often do we feel this in our lives at home; the pull toward culture, grandeur, and pleasure and away from our Jesus? It’s stupid, really! I mean, we were walking on the ruins of these grandiose cities. The RUINS. They didn’t last. They don’t ever last. And yet, our Jesus is ALIVE and thriving in each of us. All will fall, but our Lord will remain forever! So the next time the draw of culture tries to pull me in, I’ll remember this contrast and the ruins I walked over, while looking up and singing praises to my FOREVER God!
Written by Ashley Serin
Caesarea Maritima
The city and harbor were built under Herod the Great during c. 22–10 BC near the site of a former Phoenician naval station known as Stratonos pyrgos (Στράτωνος πύργος).[2] It later became the provincial capital of Roman Judea, Roman Syria Palaestina and Byzantine Palaestina Prima provinces. The city was populated throughout the 1st to 6th centuries CE and became an important early center of Christianity during the Byzantine period, but was mostly abandoned following the Muslim conquest of 640. It was re-fortified by the Crusaders, and finally slighted by the Mamluks in 1265.
Today we got to see biblical history painted and were able to walk through as if we were watching those who lived in this city actually living. Beth She’an came alive as we began to see the struggle of a new city life develop and choices and decisions they never had to make before were placed in front of them. Comfort of the city life was a draw for all those around and the splendor of living somewhere that had so many options. Options distract us to believe that we want/need more. You never know you need something until you see it for the first time. This city was that draw for many surrounding this area. This city gave them a desire for things they never knew they had. It was a city that could end them in ruins if they didn’t have a strong foundation. Soon this city was in ruins by an earthquake. We ended on a better note with singing “I surrender all” in the theater as a member of our team, Tana, lead us on stage and she was a natural.
Following Beth She’an we drove through Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus. We looked over and saw the beauty of the valley from a mountain top above the city. Next we went to Mount Carmel and I was reminded of the power of God. Mt. Carmel was the mountain were Elijah called upon God to demonstrate that He is the one true God through raining down fire on an altar. Then we ended a day at the Mediterranean Sea where the existence of Pontius Pilate was found. It was a beautiful scenery and even in the beauty of the city your stomach sank as the reality that this was a place where killing Christians was a sport. This was one of many places and times when Christians stayed strong and surrendered everything. At all costs will we surrender all?
Written by Brenda Yassu
Mt. Carmel
Biblically, Mt. Carmel is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). Solomon praised his beloved: “your head crowns you like Mount Carmel” (Song 7:5). But for Carmel to wither was a sign of devastating judgment (Nahum 1:4).
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