Capernaum an Ancient City of Contrast

The black stones unique to the ancient city of Capernaum lay as a witness to the darkness of the city; a city where the Savior lived and performed mighty miracles but the people would not believe His light.  "And thou, Capernaum, which are exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." Matthew 11:23.

I quietly watched and pondered as the waters of Galilee rolled onto the black rocky shore of Capernaum.  I felt somber for its darkness, not for a city that now lies in ruins, but for the Capernaums of today; the black stony places of our hearts that have blocked out the light of Christ.

Capernaum a city of dichotomy; a city of darkness the housed the Light of the world.  A place of black stones that delivered up Peter whom the Lord called Petros, meaning rocks.  It is here in Capernaum the Savior walked along the shore and saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, he called to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."  This is where Peter threw down his net, without questions, without exceptions, without delay, and followed.

" And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.  Matthew 4:18-20

Riot in Ephesus

It is in Ephesus we learn of Paul's fearless courage and commitment to the Savior.  He arrived at Ephesus after teaching in the upper coasts; it was here that he confirmed the Holy Ghost on members whom had been baptized.  He spoke boldly in the synagogue disputing and persuading people of the teachings of Christ.

As a result of the growth in membership, silversmiths who made their living creating idols of the goddess Diana were loosing money and caused a disturbance in the city center.  They proclaimed Paul was a danger not only to their craft but also to their temple of the goddess Diana.  These people were filled with anger and cried out saying " Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

The crowd caught Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's travel companions, and carried them into the theatre (photo) which held 25,000 people.  Paul's disciples would not let him enter the theatre due to the ensuing riot.  For two hours there was mass confusion and arguing in the theatre until the town clerk a friend of Paul, calmed the crowd and dispersed the people.  After the uproar Paul gathered the disciples and embraced them.

Paul in Ephesus

Paul fought wild beasts in Ephesus. He traveled with leaders of the Church to visit the   saints of the city.  He had many opportunities to preach the gospel in Ephesus, however opposition was growing and he needed to be careful meeting and gathering with the members.  

Paul's epistles have been preserved for our day. His recorded missions covered more than 14,000 miles. He spent his remarkable life continually admonishing members to remain true to the gospel of Jesus Christ and not forsake their testimonies.  Many times he fought the wolves at the gates whom sought to lead members away for their own gain and version of faith.

While serving in Macedonia, Paul requested in his letter to Timothy, to remain in Ephesus and urged Timothy to continue to ensure true doctrine with authority was taught, "charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minster questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith." 1 Timothy 1:4

Paul an Apostle and witness of the Savior served without fear, served mightily, and taught the true gospel with authority.  In his mission he fought wild animals, was beaten, shipped wrecked, twice imprisoned, and eventually martyred.  While imprisoned he lamented in his letter to Timothy, the members in Asia, which included Ephesus, had turned away from him and the truth, "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me..."  2 Timothy 1:15.

While walking in this ancient city, on the very marble pavement that Paul had traversed an appreciation of his sacrifice and commitment to the Savior filled my heart.  In his final letter to Timothy his confidence in his relationship with the Lord is deeply stirring.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 

- 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Victorious

The once metropolitan city of Ephesus, with a population of 250,000 now lies in ruins (photo).  Ephesus became the center of the primitive church after the death of Christ.  Walking on the original Roman pavement (photo) our footsteps traced the same paths of Paul, John, and Timothy.

The marble relief of the mythical, winged goddess Victorious (photo) hovered over the procession path from the civic center to the market agora.  Did the irony of this stone icon influence Paul's epistle he wrote from Ephesus to the Saints in Corinth concerning the true victor?

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is they victory?  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."     - 1 Corinthians 15:54,55,57

Greece the Birthplace of Philosophy

After much walking, it was a reprieve to relax on the picturesque beaches of Greece.  Everywhere we went were beautiful settings on these ancient isles.  The splendor of the landscapes and Mediterranean waters made it a wonderful place to vacation.

Prior to the birth of Christ, Greece had a strong cultural influence on Rome.  It was this Hellenic culture that gave birth to philosophy (is greek meaning the love of wisdom).  There were members of the primitive church claiming to have "special" knowledge of God that would lead many down paths of apostasy.  Paul repeatedly explained man's wisdom of intellectualism separated members from the Holy Ghost and revelation.

"...my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."   -1 Corinthians 2:4-5




Photos include:
Alan and I on Rhodes
Hotel on the Beach in Rhodes
White washed Basilica on Mykonos
Petros the local name for pelican which visits routinely
 Lynn and Kate on Mykonos
Little Venice on Mykonos

Sons of Ismael

More than 1,400 years ago, Mohammed came out of the dessert and offered a religion that would unite the Arabian people.  Israel had worshipped Yahweh for thousands of years.  The Christians were united in their worship of Jesus.  Now Mohammed brought the worship of Allah to the Arabian people.

The Hagi Sophia was built over the early Christian church in Istanbul, making it then the largest mosque in the world.  Now a museum of a people's adoration to their god, this ancient mosque exhibits workmanship that has stood the test of time.

Istanbul is a city of many faiths, however since the Ottoman Empire it has become a center for Islam with more than 3,000 mosques.

"...and the angel of God called to Hagar...Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation...These are the sons of Ishmael...twelve princes according to their nations."
 - Genesis 21:18; 25:16

Pictures include the Hagi Sophia which means divine wisdom and the blue mosque.

Wise Hearted Women

Relaxing on portly furniture, Abraham brought us Turkish "apple" tea in small clear glasses.  While carefully sipping the hot tea we received an astonishing demonstration of rugs.

With all the splendor of a choreographed dance, the men spun the carpet in the air to reveal the breath-taking colors and patterns of these fine tapestries.

Carpets hand made from silk, wool, and cotton were dyed and woven with the same technique that had been used for thousands of years.  With expertise these women would spin silk and tie intricate rugs in the traditional turkish double knot.  This painstaking process takes a year for a master weaver to complete a three foot section of a silk rug.

I imagined this same beauty and craftsmanship brought to Moses for the tabernacle.

"And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen."  - Exodus 35:25

Pure Water

I was on the hunt for Turkish towels, which took us to the oldest operational Turkish bath. Walking into this 300 year old bath house the air was filled with the scent of luxurious soaps. Hanging on the wall were pictures of political leaders and movie stars who had ventured into this marble structure.

The Turkish bath house grew from the Roman Empire and gained popularity during the Ottoman rule with the requirement that each mosque have an attached bath house. The cleansing process began with a dry heat room then moving into a steam or hot room for a massage using a cloth to exfoliate. This process would end with a cold bath.

There were different times allocated for men and women to enter. In Istanbul the bath houses also included a ritual purification room for Jewish women. Included in the Mosaic Law were strict requirements of washing and cleansing. Cleansing for ancient Israel was an Aaronic priesthood commandment that kept them clean and minimized the risk of disease; it was an outward observance for an inward progression of purifying the heart and mind.

The Savior taught the inward law and brought a higher covenant after the order of Melchizedek. Paul continued to teach this understanding to the Jews whom were members of the church.

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts purified from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." - Hebrews 10:22

Istanbul Passage

As frequent travel companions, (Alan and I, Ken and Lynn, and Walt and Kate) we have had many opportunities to see a variety of people and places, however nothing compared to the vast diversity we experienced in Istanbul. Here is where East meets West and the continents of Europe and Asia connect -- merging cultures, languages, money, and history.

The ancient Grand Bazaar has covered more than 4,000 shops since the Ottoman Empire. Before Columbus sailed to the Americas, this ancient mall was a hub for trade in the old world.  

Entering at Gate One we stepped into historic halls covered with mosaics; each stride taking us deeper into a labyrinth of cultures and past eras. Merchants would exchange currency with ease from nations around the world.  Our shopping became a time travel, we were as the ancients; walking where they had walked, buying where they had bought, dining where they had dined. For a moment, we all had our journey through the Grand Bazaar.

"Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dweller in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontun, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts o Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." -Acts 2:9-11

Lessons From the Holy Land

I was asked if this trip was life changing. It has not changed my choices in life; however it has changed my perceptions. These changes I have called "Lessons from the Holy Land."

I hope this blog will share a glimpse into ancient civilizations and a moderns perspective on faith, people, and politics.

The picture is the traditional location of the Sermon on the Mount, also referred to as the Mount of Beatitudes which over looks the Sea of Galilee.

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain; and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them." - Matthew 5:1-2