Day 03 - West Central Turkey: Hierapolis, Colossae, Laodicea

The day started with a HIGH!!!! Literally. 

Most of the group woke up at 4:00 am for a hot air ballon ride. It was breath taking. Our ballon took us up 1500 feet for a phenomenal view of the Lycus River Valley. We looked directly down at the ancient city of Hierapolis, and we could see in the direction of the ancient city of Colossae, Laodicea, along with the rest of the 7 churches in the opening chapters of Revelation.

After another phenomenal breakfast, we set off for a stroll through Hierapolis (mentioned in Colossians 4). It is Turkey’s most visited archeological site. In it’s day, Hierapolis was a huge city, with a population estimated to be well over 100,000 people. While there, we walked up a hillside looking over the city and sat in an ancient martyrium. It was built to commemorate the death of Philip (most likely the apostle Philip). His death was brutal. It was also a reminder of Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” We are not promised earthly peace or prosperity, but persecution. And throughout Christianity history, this has been normative, just part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Every 21st-century Christian is standing on the shoulders of men and women like Philip, who were ready and willing to give their live for the risen Jesus. Most of those men and women are forgotten in human history. There are no martyriums to commemorate their death. They are forgotten. No one knows the countless names. 

But Jesus does. 

Every one of their names will make heaven’s history books. Their story’s will be told. Their lives will be celebrated. They will be some of the great ones in the life to come, “who loved not their lives even to death.” (Revelation 12:11-12). 

Seeing their deaths for Jesus, helps us (2000 years into the future) live. Their deaths help us live courageously, holding our lives lightly. 

We finished our time in Hierapolis by swimming in Cleopatra’s Pool. The pool was formed by an earthquake in the 7th century, and filled by thermal waters at a perfect temperature of 36 degrees Celsius. 

After a lunch in a beautiful restaurant (located on the edge of a natural waterfall), we went to Colossae. This city (and the church within it) was the recipient of one of the New Testament’s most beloved epistles, Colossians. Unfortunately, the city is unexcavated. However, we sat their, in the city considering Paul’s letter to this place. The letter reminds us that Jesus is above all. A human heart does not need JESUS + SOMETHING ELSE to be happy and whole. No. A human heart needs JESUS ALONE! 

We finished our day at Laodicea. It shows up in the New Testament, most famously in Revelation 3. And while there, we considered those stinging words from Jesus in verses 17-19:

“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”

We heeded the counsel and prayed for hearts ready to receive from Jesus the right gold, the right garments, and the right glasses. 

Then……… 

After a day that started at 4:00 am and contained roughly 8 miles of walking, we collapsed into bed.