Day 06 - Galilee: Beth Shean, Mt. Carmel, Caesarea Maritima

This was a wonderful day that filled our hearts, impacted our minds, and stunned our eyes. This blog will not be the longest that we have sent out, but do know that our day was filled with enjoyment. Our encouragement is that you will reach out to the people on this trip when they return and ask them about Day 6 and what were some of the biggest standouts to them. On this 6th day we experienced rain again in the morning; however, today’s rain was a match for our curiosity and awestruckness. We spent our last night in the hotel at the Sea of Galilee and made our way to Beth She’an. After a 30-minute ride we arrived and walked into an old Roman city. As loud as our “OHH,” “AHHH,” and “WOWs” were, you probably heard them back in the United States. Every place that we went to today, would probably be on your to see list when it is your turn to visit.

This ancient city of Beth She’an was pure amazement. You can see the difference in the architecture from Israel to Roman influence. This city probably held about 70,000 people and it had a main street corridor for shopping, and a bath house. As we walked around some of the still standing columns, intact water warming systems, the latrine, and the coliseum, we were astonished. We walked through the theatre to find some shelter from the rain while Marshall gave us our first teaching of the day. He elaborated on how the society here would have had levels of importance. He informed us that the theatre would have three different sections in it depending on how important you were, then he contrasted it with the one level in the church because everyone is equal. He also mentioned that the actors in the theatre were called hypocrites. (Jesus uses this word to call out behaviors that done line up with being faithful to the Lord.)

Marshall’s overall encouragement was to ponder, how do we not be conformed but be a part of the system. The society want you to strive for status, fame, and success, but Jesus wants you to pursue faithfulness. Sometimes when we make it to the land of plenty, you are tempted to forget God. We can also be easily distracted by the society, just like the priest were all going to be entertained in the theatre and were neglecting offering sacrifices in the synagogue. He reminded us that in John 5:2 the promise is the person who does God’s will lives forever. We need Christians who are engaged in the community so we can influence the culture. Ask yourself, “How do I dictate God’s love and ways as I live in society?”   

Our second stop was at Mt. Carmel.

We walked through the sliding door and up two flights of stairs to the rooftop. Our eyes could see far beyond what is describable as we were at one of the highest points in the area. We looked out in every direction with crystal clarity. Beyond the airfield on the hilltop, our eyes landed on Nazareth. From here we could also see Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle. We could see Naan where Jesus raised to life, the child of a widow; the entire Jezreel Valley were many epic battles were fought including Gideon; and Mt. Tabor, where it is possible that the transfiguration took place.

Marshall did the teaching here from 1 Kings 18 regarding Elijah and has challenge to the 850 false prophets of Baal & Asherah. As he began teaching, it was interesting that four young men began mocking the group, making loud and rude noises to distract us and others, while recording their victims. Isn’t it interesting that when talking about false gods, the enemy would try to disrupt. Well, if Elijah could take on Baal, PC figured he could handle these four so to keep them from their continual nuisance to the group PC decided it would be good to “Go love your enemy.” After some good conversations with them and taking some pictures together, they decided to walk off. Marshall continued without missing a beat! God will fight the battles! Marshall challenged us to live like Elijah and Elisha.

From there we traveled to Caesarea where our eyes would be dazzled with beauty, awe, and wonder. Look at the pictures of everything we experienced today and may you have the same amazement. There was an aqueduct that flowed for miles bringing fresh water. Part of it is still standing strong today. Herod knew that having a port would bring income, so he had one built as they invented hydraulic concrete. This port could hold 300 ships! It was huge. Herod's theater could hold 5,000 people. The hippodrome cold hold 38,000 people. It was built for inauguration of city. It was a circus that had chariot and running races, gladiator battles, and animal battles. It was built around 10 B.C., and some of it is still standing! Herod had stone imported from all over as he loved the best of everything and had the money to buy it. Herod the Great! Herod was considered president of Olympics for life. His building skills were incredible, and some say he could deny nature. In 66 AD Roman legion came through here they destroyed it and took stone away to repurpose it.

Pastor Bob did the teaching at this site. This is where Pontius Pilate would have been, and Paul would have been held. When Saul was persecuting the church it pushed people to various cities away from Jerusalem. Philip was as an evangelist here and his daughters were prophetess.

Acts 10:1 – centurion stationed here. One day when Cornelius was praying an angel came before him and told him to send for Peter who was a day’s walking away in Joppa. Meanwhile Peter had a vision that had a sheet and animals that informed him to not call what God calls clean unclean. Cornelius’ men came for Peter, and he went with Cornelius’ men to his house, where he shares the gospel with his enemies. Acts 10:44 – Cornelius and his household were so excited, and just like Alfred and Violet by the Jordan River the other day, no one could stand in the way of them being baptized. Later on Paul goes to Jerusalem with some people from here. Holy Spirit says Paul will be beaten for his faith and Paul goes anyways because he felt he was to follow God over choosing ease of life. Paul had to defend himself before Felix here at Caesarea. Acts 24:22 Paul is in prison for 2 years here.

Jesus calls us to take a stand. It is for all men and women, from every nationality, for all people of every language. How do you want to be remembered? Like Herod the Great where people “know me” or like Paul with a legacy of faith. We don’t want to be 1 generation from losing the church. Issues and behaviors are the same over time, technology and location is what’s different.  Herod can’t create eternity, only Jesus can. Be a part of Jesus forever family.

On our way to the Jerusalem hotel, we drove through the place were the Israelites lost the Ark of the Covenant and seen some other historical places. We made it to our new hotel were we will stay for the next few days before heading home. We had the most fabulous meal since we have been here! We are pretty exhausted from the constant days in the rain, so prayerfully we can all rest well tonight. Blessings until next time.

Leroy Childress