Boasting in our weaknesses

Today we visited three places, ending our day at the Israel Museum, where we looked at a detailed model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus. We also got to see a Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, as well as artifacts from several of the places we visited.

So that's how our day ended, but it began with an ascent up Herodium, another palace-fortress of Herod the Great.

"Is this tour about Jesus or Herod?" someone wondered aloud on a previous Crossings tour. Indeed it sometimes feels like it's more about Herod, because we've now visited three memorable sites built by him. In the midst of our day, though, Terry helped us to see the wonder of the baby Jesus in the shadow of Herod's reign.

More on that later, but first . . .

As you stand at the top of Herodium, you can see many places in every direction, including Bethlehem. When Herod's tower still stood at the top of Herodium, he could see Jerusalem and the temple he rebuilt, another monument to his ego.

After exploring the upper parts of this impressive site, we went down deep into the underground tunnels, where large cisterns once existed.

After Herodium, we traveled a short distance to Bethlehem and happened to see a couple of shepherds in the sheep fields along the way. Somewhere in that general area, the angels appeared to shepherds after Jesus was born.

In Bethlehem we walked through the Church of the Nativity, as well as the Greek Orthodox Church, then descended to the traditional site of Jesus' birth (though no one can be sure of the exact location).

What may have stood out most today, though, was our teaching time at Herodium, where Terry reviewed the three Herodian places we had visited. Herod the Great obviously had a large ego, but he was also quite paranoid. So everything he built now conveys the flavor of his pride, his fear, or both. Every Herodian structure was not only awe-inspiring, but also fortified, because Herod was always looking over his shoulder.

Contrast that to the King born in the shadow (almost literally) of Herodium, as a vulnerable baby to humble parents. While Herod was building his defenses, Jesus was born defenseless. While Herod was well-known and feared, Jesus was born in anonymity and raised in obscurity.

Herod would die in 4 B.C, however, his final year being one of immense physical suffering. Christ, though, lives on. Herod wished to be protected by a fortress, but Jesus was protected by the Father.

The message of Christianity has not changed. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12, God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Like their Savior, Christians are most potent when we seem to be most powerless. We win spiritual battles, not by seizing power, but by boasting in our weaknesses.

Interestingly, Terry began our morning with a reading of Psalm 121, which begins this way:

"I will lift my eyes up to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth."

Our help does not come from kings or those in power, but from a crucified and resurrected Messiah, who entered the world as a servant, lived his earthly life as a servant and will return as a just and reigning king.

We head to the Temple Mount tomorrow morning, followed by a busy day in old Jerusalem.