Day 01 - Smyrna, Pergamum

We woke bright and early to the most incredible breakfast ever with orange juice served in tulip glasses. Our first stop was Smyrna. We were introduced to the apocalyptic/prophetic language of John in revelation two. Then we were handed rocks. I almost ate them until someone instructed us to smell them: myrrh!! This is the spice in which Smyrna was named after. As we gathered in the agora (marketplace/forum), we were introduced to the various Greek gods. Our guides contrasted the Roman culture with the Christian community. Polycarp died in this very city at the age of 89, martyred for his faith. How wonderful our faith is to be passed down by witnesses like Polycarp who sat at the feet of the apostle John. That I’m sure was a sweet smell of myrrh to the Lord. 

Then, off to the ancient city of Pergamum, the home of Asclepius with all his “healing powers”. Can you say snakes? This was the highlight of my day. Terry directed us to several passages in John that opened our eyes to the apostle John's brilliant writing skills. He contrasted the culture of false gods against Jesus‘s words of: I am the Bread of Life, I am the Light of the World, I am the Resurrection, I am the Way the Truth and the Life, etc. I will never read those passages again without remembering this sermon on the edge of the Pergamum ruins. We walked a lot and ate too much on this fifteen hour day. The sun was setting as some slept on the way to our next destination.