We spent a large chunck of the day with the Zealots in Gamla. 
There was
a huge amount of history in the teaching which, among many other
things, helped to more accurately frame the cauldron into which Jeaus
stepped. Gamla is a moving place for at least two reasons. First, it
was a place of tragic sacrifice as over 5000 Zealots chose to end their
lives rather than be captured by the Romans. Second, it is especially
wondeful archeaologically because it is essentailly stone on stone the
way the Romans left it. Ruins, yes. But ruins which have been untouched
for thousands of years. This means that anywhere in that synagogue one
can safely say is a place Jesus would have seen or even
physically
been. Again it's not "square inch stuff" but it is very exciting. I
write that but there is one exception. If a person walks every square
inch of the Bema then it is fairly safe to suppose Jesus' feet touched
exactly that same spot. That is exactly what I did!
We were treated next to what has been the third new and second really significant archeaological find. Another career maker seen at this point by only a few hundred people. It is the third of the three temples Herod built to declare Ceasar as God. Just as significantly its discovery pretty much nails the location of the Via Maris eastern turn toward Damacus! Really neat stuff.
The next two lessons at Caesaria Philippi and Mt. Hermon I just don't think I can describe. There are at
least five passages and three
assumptions that were turned on their ear. Those Faith Leasons were
amazing! To think Jesus walked his disciples that far to a place they
would never, ever have been anywhere near just to teach them means that
lesson must have had major significance. Did it ever! One could say
this was a major part of preparing those disciples for what they would
decades later face in Asia.
I really wish I had the energy to describe what we next learned standing on Mt Hermon. I can tell you I will never read the Transfiguration story the way I used to. Wow! And it's all in the Bible. Every bit of it.
Ray has every day used some or all of the phrase "I want to be a part of the Story. I want to be IN the story. It is, after all, one continuous story!" Amen.
Follow me on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/tgodby
We were treated next to what has been the third new and second really significant archeaological find. Another career maker seen at this point by only a few hundred people. It is the third of the three temples Herod built to declare Ceasar as God. Just as significantly its discovery pretty much nails the location of the Via Maris eastern turn toward Damacus! Really neat stuff.
The next two lessons at Caesaria Philippi and Mt. Hermon I just don't think I can describe. There are at
I really wish I had the energy to describe what we next learned standing on Mt Hermon. I can tell you I will never read the Transfiguration story the way I used to. Wow! And it's all in the Bible. Every bit of it.
Ray has every day used some or all of the phrase "I want to be a part of the Story. I want to be IN the story. It is, after all, one continuous story!" Amen.
Follow me on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/tgodby
