Day 09 - Galilee: Jordan River, Beth Shean, Susita

Jordan River

This morning we gathered on the bank of the Jordan River and discussed how water was a place of chaos for the ancient Israelites. Once again, we encountered Jesus’ willingness to go to the most chaotic places and meet people there.

Scott shared his vision of Jesus wading into the rapids and pulling people out of their sin and struggle. In this view, the church is on the riverside welcoming others to shore. Scott encouraged us to be a community with wet feet, always ready to help those on the margins.

From that place of understanding, we re-read Jesus’ baptism and then had the opportunity to re-enact our own!

Bet She’an

Next, we went to the largest archeological dig in Israel. We were amazed by the massive size and well-preserved structure of this Roman city. The columns, amphitheater, baths, and even toilets remain remarkably intact. This city is mentioned in 1 Samuel 31:10 as the place where Saul and his sons’ dead bodies were hung on the wall. This city was also present at the time of Jesus.

Scott shared about the Hellenistic worldview that ruled in Bet She’an. It was a self-centered society that venerated the human form. This led to some positives such as a focus on health and education. But unfortunately, people were treated like objects so vulnerable groups like the orphans, widows, and strangers fell through the cracks in dramatic and heartbreaking ways.

Then we discussed how the Kingdom of God could make a difference in a place like this or even in the places we live.

Susita

Our last stop of the day was another Roman ruin, but there was something different about this one: It featured a Christian church! After we toured through this 5th-century site, we sat out overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

We read from Mark 5 where Jesus casts out the legion of demons from the man into a herd of pigs. That event happened near where we sat.

Once again, this well-known story took on new meaning when read in its historical context. During Jesus’ time, there was a Roman legion with the symbol of a pig on their shield and flags that were stationed nearby! Along with declaring his power over Satan, Jesus was also showing his power over Rome.

However, even more intriguing is that at the end of that Bible passage, the townspeople ran Jesus off. Then Jesus tells the man to go and tell the story of his healing. Later, Jesus passes through this same area again on his way to Jerusalem and a crowd comes out to meet him – a sure sign that the healed man shared his story.

It is likely that the church we sat in was part of the ripple effect of one person telling the story of how Jesus changed his life. Then we were commissioned to go and do likewise!