Mark and Deone Quist Notes and Meditations from the Sea of Galilee To follow the Rabbi is to follow in faith. “Come, let's go.” You don't question it - - he will lead. Trust there is always some purpose to why and where he is taking you. Welcome to the Sea of Galilee... These are the places where following the Rabbi take on flesh and blood. This is where the Israelite kings, priests, and prophets all pointed to... a time when the Messiah would come and would lead his people in Torah, save them from their enemies, and rule in righteousness. Much of our time here will be spent in the Religious Jewish Triangle – a 3 X 6 mile area. This is the region where Jesus spent 90-95% of his life and ministry. Jeremiah 6:16, “This is what the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...”” Leaving the desert is bitter sweet. Bitter: because of the sense of belonging to a story much bigger than ourselves was beginning to take root – of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... of Moses and Pharaoh... the Essenes and John the Baptist... Bitter because it meant that our trip was about half completed. Bitter because the desert actually feels like home (much like Grand Junction, CO.) Bitter because our time at En Gedi, Masada, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Avdat, and Arad were behind us. Sweet: because we were heading to more fertile land and spending concentrated time walking where Jesus walked... Sweet because we were on to a new adventure with new discoveries, new insights, and new trails to hike. What will it be like to stand on the shores of Galilee, stand in the Jordan, sit in the synagogue, imagine crowds of people following Jesus, and getting a 'feel' for where Jesus called the disciples, taught, and performed miracles. Time to dive in... On our way to the Sea of Galilee it was easy to see the landscape changing... mountains became more rounded and increasingly covered with ground cover. Farms began to appear on the hillsides and in the valley plateaus and floors. We stopped to hike into a newly plowed field of dark brown clumpy soil... a field of the Tribe of Benjamin. Israelite Farming: The land was given according to tribes. And each tribe divided up the farming land into sections... one section per family... The land was always meant to be just enough. The family 'plot' was an inheritance for life. The lines of stones dividing one family field from another are “Ancient Landmarks”, never to be moved. The size of each family field is amazingly small compared to our style of farming. Just enough – depend on God. “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places... surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5-6) The family farmers didn't live in the fields. It would be selfish to take up space on good farm land by building a home. Farmers (shepherds) stayed in temporary shelters during planting and harvest, between June and October. The shepherds would graze their flocks in the fields just after harvest as the sheep/goats ate the remaining stalks and stubble from the harvest and kindly deposit their 'fertilizer' in

the fields. A mutually beneficial enterprise :) Note: The shepherds were not in the fields in December at our Christmas celebration time... It's likely that Jesus was not born in December, but somewhere between July – October because of the shepherds being in the fields and the feast of Tabernacles being celebrated at his birth. The Hebrew people were to leave the corners of the field unharvested for the poor. God is saying, “I give to you as you give to each other.” The size of the 'corner' was up to the owner. The poor would always be taken care of – but it wasn't welfare, you gleaned for your food. (Story of Ruth: Naomi sends Ruth out to glean in the fields and Ruth ends up meeting Boaz, the families Kinsman Redeemer.) This system provides justice and displays mercy and at the same time teaches dignity and skills... each person in the community participates as they are able. (The Arabs of today still farm like the tribes of old. Israeli farmers have since become westernized.) After another short bus ride up a steep climb, as we went 'four-wheeling' in the bus... we hiked up to a lookout area. As we looked around us, we could see in the nearby mountain ridges and valleys the cities of Jericho, Beth Hazor, Shechem, Bethel, Sheloah, Samuel's birthplace was nearby, and off in the West – the Mt. Of Olives... Hannah would have prayed to God for a baby (Samuel) near here. This is where Abraham and Lot quarreled about who would settle where... Lot eventually settled in the plain. The hill on which we stood is called 'Morning Star' – the highest hill in the East. Stable: (large shallow cave shepherd's cave) Mary and Joseph would have found themselves in a shepherd's cave for the night of Jesus birth – much like this one. Surrounded by manure and animal feed, soot from centuries of shepherd fires and smoke... there are two kinds of stables: 1) a cave 2) a space under the house. (An 'inn' or guest room in modern days are on top of the home.) When Jesus appeared – this is the type of place where he stepped into the world... outside the city... (Maybe, this is the type of place we should be entering the world too... where there is need and chaos...) It was a place of manure, animal feed, animals... Myth busters: A 'manger' for Jesus was a stone feeding/water trough. There were no cows and the shepherds who came to visit could easily have been teenage girls. Jesus probably born around the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) – RVL's interpretation. A song was sung at Sukkot, “Peace to people of good will...” Reminds us of an angel host singing to shepherd's in the fields at night, “Glory to God in the Highest! And on earth peace and good will to all on whom his favor rests.” Parable of the Soils (Sower): (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15, 10:23-24) “A Farmer went out to sow...” The seed is sown liberally... some falls on the rocks... some on the path... some among the thorns... and some falls in good soil. (The use of four's, in this case, four different types of soil, is a common Rabbinic technique in teaching. In rabbinic instruction there are four types of learners: 1) doesn't study, doesn't practice. 2) studies, doesn't practice. 3) practices but doesn't study. 4) studies and practices. Which are you?) Every family field is marked with boundaries. Boundaries are the lines along the edge of the family field where rocks are thrown to increase the fields fruitfulness. These boundary lines are the path... Some family fields are completely enclosed by other fields and the only way to access their field is by way of these rocky paths... Thorns grow along the edges of the paths. They grow in between rocks. They also grow anywhere a field is untended and uncared for. If they are not destroyed or burned with fire they spread prolifically. The soil must be prepared and cared for. Rocks must be removed and thrown on the path. Thorns must

be destroyed and burned. The soil must be broken up and tilled. Your heart is the soil. It needs to be broken up – it must be refined and purified by fire. The point of the parable is the four types of soil and the types of learners they are... Jesus is looking for good soil: those who study God's ways and then do it... they follow and live it out. This means not living your life on the path of busyness, hurry, anxiety, distractions where Satan can take the seed and snatch it away. This means getting rid of the rocks in your heart that crush your faith, cause you to stumble, and take up space in the good soil and weigh you down (unforgiveness?). (Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26, “...Remove from you your heart of stone...”) This means burning the thorns that grow up in your heart and want to choke out the fruit (wealth, cares of this world)... those things that compete for the nutrients that help you grow, that take your time and energy away from God. Good soil is one who hears, studies, understands, and follows. He is the one who lives out what God has planted and is causing to grow. He is the one who produces fruit – a harvest “a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” RVL made the point that many people say, “I left that church because I wasn't being fed.” Well – have you prepared your heart? Have you prepared your soil by removed the rocks and burning the thorns? How dare you criticize the sower when you haven't prepared your heart! To be good soil is to 'haaaagaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!” on the Word of God. Haga is to meditate, to murmur, to groan, to roar. It's not the Western kind of meditation that is silent meditation or some kind of mental reflection... hagah means to use the vocal cords... whether you walk about during the day meditating through whispers/murmuring on Psalm 23... or you roar out with passion, “Let justice roll down like a mighty waterfall, and righteousness flow like a never ending stream, let mercy resound like the waves of the ocean!!!!” It has the connotations of Psalm 1: Blessed is the one who meditates (hagah's) on the Word of God and does it continually (day and night.)... they will be like a tree planted by streams of (living) water... always bearing fruit at the right time... leaves are always green... and they are blessed by God... Joshua 1:8, “Do not let the word of God depart from your mouth... meditate (hagah) on it day and night (continually).” It has connotations of Jeremiah who says, “When your words came... I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty...” People of God – haaaaagaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh! On the word of God – day and night! Four main regions and types of people around the Sea of Galilee in Jesus day:

1. Herodians – Tiberius (15,000 people) These are Jews who have connection to Herod. They are pro-Roman, Hellenistic, and not religious. Herod Antipas lived here. He also built Zippori. Herod Antipas killed and crucified thousands of Jews – nailing them to the walls of Jerusalem. Called 'Herod' – the tetriarch (vice-king) and he hated it.

2. Decapolis – Pagans – East side of Sea of Galilee – 10 cities founded there by Alexander the Great. Greco-Roman cities... Worship Dionysius. This is the region where Jesus sent the demons into the pigs and they ran into the Sea of Galilee and drown.

3. Zealots – Gamla North West – 6 miles. 4. Religious Jews – Triangle – 90% of the geographical area of Jesus life and ministry. 6 X 3

miles, Gennesaret (SW), Magadin (E), Capernaum (Further E), Bethsaida (NE), and Chorazin (N) are the cities of the triangle. NorthWest corner of the Sea to the Jordan River. 75% of Jesus teaching from the gospels took place in this region... very near to Herod Antiphus. (More later)

The Sea of Galilee:

• largest body of fresh water in the Middle East (12.5 x 7.5 miles, 800-1000 ft. deep volcano cone

(black). Much of the stone on the north and western shores is basalt (black). • Israeli's are not sea/water people. They called the Sea of Galilee the 'Abyss.' Its where the

devil lives – in the watery depths of the Abyss. • Fishing was not common – yet, Jesus chose five fisherman to be disciples out of the twelve...

Why? Was it because they were tough guys? Maybe it's because they would need to 'go out' into the Abyss... figuratively and literally. Maybe its because Evangelism would be the heart of Jesus mission, “I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17) Yet, a better reason would be a passage from Jeremiah... The Jews recognized this and would come and ask Jesus about this.

• Two kinds of fishing: sardines during the night that come to spawn on the warm shallow water where springs meet the Sea... they cast a circular net while in the water and it drops and a fisherman gathers the net together. The other fish, talapia, they use a drag net in the early am and pm. Talapia is an 'unclean' fish to the Jews.

• Two stories related to this area by the Sea of Galilee: 1) Standing on the bank where the springs meet the Sea is probably where Jesus called at least two disciples. This is where they would clean their nets... It's also the best place to catch sardines at night. Seven warm springs come together and bring fresh water to the Sea near Magadin. 2) In John 21, after Jesus resurrection, he appears on the shore, early in the morning, while the disciples are fishing. (John 21) The disciples didn't catch anything all night... He called to them, “Friends, have you any fish?” “No!” “Throw your net on the other side of the boat and you will find some.” (Just fish!!! and God will worry about what you'll catch.) They did it – and the net was so full of fish they couldn't haul it into the boat... “It's the Lord!” John called out. Peter jumps into the water... when they reach shore, Jesus is roasting fish on a fire of burning coals... (Fire, coals, smoke... God is here!) “Come and eat breakfast.”

Aramos Topos: A solitary (lonely) place – no good for farming. Unused land. A place where people would walk to get to places so as to not walk on other's fields. These were places where Jesus taught and probably preached the Sermon on the Mount, fed the 5,000/4,000 men (then add women and children on top of that number) and did the leper healing. Could have been the places Jesus would go to worship (pray, etc.). The Bible references Jesus using a place like this 9X's in his ministry. Near Capernaum there is a significant Aramos Topos. Aramos Topos was a common teaching place of Jesus... it has a great view of the Sea of Galilee. By the way... almost all of the beatitudes can be found in the Old Testament (time to go searching!) This is probably the place where Jesus told them to go after his resurrection. Matthew 28:10, “Then Jesus said to them (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary), “Go and tell my brothers (the eleven) to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” So the disciples went all the way to Galilee, “...to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.” (Matthew 28:16) Here is where Jesus gave them the 'Great Commission'. This is a 256 mile trip. Why does Jesus ask them to do this? Maybe Jesus is finding out, “Who are my disciples?” The travel distance would give them plenty of time to talk about, “What does this all mean?” This also brings them back to the place where it all happened.. the teaching, the parables, the miracles... It's as if Jesus is saying, “Remember... All I said has come true... All authority is mine... Now Go! - You make disciples in my name!” Numbers: 1 – God 2 – Tablets

4 – Number of evil, corners of the earth, the pagans live here. 5 – Books of Moses (Torah) 6 – evil # 7 – key number for completion – either for good or bad 10 – commands, righteous people in Sodom, associated with righteousness 12 – tribes/disciples 40 – time of testing. 50 – small group within 12 tribes for judging

• Jesus feeding the 5,000 - 5 loaves, 2 fish, 12 baskets of leftovers, groups of 50. Wow! • Jesus feeding the 4,000 – 7 loaves, a few fish, and 7 baskets left over.

Jesus is the second Moses bringing bread/manna. “I am the bread of life.” He also came to feed the Pagans (4,000) - 4 corners of the earth. Note: The men were served first and the men served their wives. Wheat & Tares: When wheat and tares are young, it's difficult to tell the difference between them. Jesus uses the wheat and the tares to illustrate the good and bad living together (a 'three age' teaching of Jesus). See parable of Jesus in Matthew 13:24-30. Jesus later explained the parable when the disciples asked him to... “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds (tares) are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels... the angels will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil at the end of the age.” (The day is coming when they will be separated.) This is a teaching that corrects for John the Baptist 2 age preaching/teaching. John asks Jesus, “ Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:2-19) Jesus responds by quoting Isaiah 35 and 61, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” Jesus doesn't talk about judgment and wrath in response to John's asking who he is... Jesus also doesn't include the line from Isaiah 61:3 in Luke 4 when he reads in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, “... and proclaim the day of vengeance of our God.” It would seem that Jesus is teaching that now is a time of grace! A day of judgment will come in the future... but for now, the good and the bad will be sown together and will grow together. Wheat was cut with a sickle. Placed in bundles on a threshing floor – the wheat would be beaten out with rods, pitched into the air with forks to separate the wheat from chaff... or a sled would be pulled behind a donkey with a child on it for weight – then take a fork and throw it into the air on windy day – wind blows away the chaff and the fruit of the wheat falls to the ground. They would then put it in a sieve and shake it... grain falls – shell remains... put in a jar, sealed, and then... stored in a 'barn' (cellar). A couple of interesting references to wheat by John the Baptist and by Jesus... John the Baptist: Matthew 3:12, “He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Jesus in John 12:23-24, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Here Jesus again uses an image of his day to illustrate that he must die in order for others to come to salvation. Just as a wheat seed needs to first die and be buried in order to multiply fruit. And finally, Luke 22:31, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”

Rabbi teaching: • Always interpret text • Always give a picture • Techniques: Hillel – uses 7 rules in order to 'mine the 70 faces of the text.'

◦ Jesus used 5 rules of the Hillel rules for sure... Hillel followers understood Jesus technique. This makes sense if Jesus taught much of the time in Capernaum region... a significant Hillel influence present there. Jesus is asked many questions and clearly answers with 7 Hillel and 1 Shammai responses.

◦ A frequent teaching method of Jesus is “how much more.” For example, Luke 11:13, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” If you agree on point (A), then how much more will God (B). Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 12:11-12, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

◦ An interpretive method is a rabbi's 'yoke'. (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” This has to do with teaching. Jesus is always interpreting text. So when he says something – look for it in the Torah, the Writings, and the Prophets! For example, “...and I will give you rest.” Only the Lord, YHWH says this in the Old Testament. (Exodus 33:14, “The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' and Jeremiah 6:16, “....and you will find rest for your souls.”) Jesus is saying, (paraphrase)“I am God!” and any Jew would know it – because they knew the text. Jesus is the Ancient path of Jeremiah. He also says in Matthew 11:29, “I am gentle and humble in heart.” Jesus is saying, (Paraphrase) “I am the Moses who is to come...” Moses was the most humble man alive to the Jews. This kind of textual referencing in 'code' by Jesus would only be understood in Galilee where they knew the text.

◦ This begs the question: How will the Gentiles know Jesus? We need a learned Jew at our side! Jews understand the text!

Capernaum: (Village of 'Nahum')

• Was home to Jesus from age 30 on. Mark 2:1-4, Jesus healed the man that others lowered down to him through the roof. Most famous of Galilean cities – with a significant, large, synagogue. The synagogue opens up to the town square, central to the life of Capernaum. Jesus went to this area because of the best teachers of his day. Most famous for rabbi's: Hillel, Shammai, and others.

• The 'Religious Triangle' was originally settled by Babylonian returnees. About 1,500 people in Jesus day in the city.

• Lots of market buying and selling here. Known for fish processing equipment... stone cutters... volcanic black rock... fishing... olive presses and millstones. This is the place Jesus says, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea (Abyss) with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourself.” Jesus is always using word pictures, images, metaphors from his day... he probably was looking at a millstone near him as he taught. He said this in millstone-ville, Capernaum.

• Jesus heals man with withered hand, Peter's mother in law of fever, and Jairus daughter raised... • Faith of the Centurion in Luke 7:1-10. The centurion built the synagogue (a Roman). It was

unclean to go into a gentile house... Jesus heals the centurions servant who was sick... He says of the centurions faith, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Salvation for the gentiles? Yep.

• May have found Peter's home near the Synagogue in Capernaum... a fishermans' home... After Jesus and the disciples would leave the synagogue they would to go Peter and Andrew's house. They found an octagonal gathering place connected to a fisherman's family insula. Maybe Jesus lived here.

Korizin: (Chorizin)

• Built in approximately 150 BC by Jewish returnees. Twice the size of Capernaum – estimated 2,000 people. Main industry – Olives. The entire city seemed to be built out of indigenous stone, basalt (black). It's hard stone and can withstand the large amounts of rain in this region.

• Jesus did at least one miracle here: Mt. 11:20-21, “Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” Jesus criticizes them for not changing.

• A synagogue was built after 70AD – had a Moses seat... chief seats... Torah closet, etc. The main door faces South towards Jerusalem. There is a large school here (large teaching room). There was a big emphasis on education. In worship, the entire community hears the word of God together. They learn together in community.

• City was leveled by an earthquake in 729AD. Levels of education in the Jewish community of Jesus day: Often read Torah in the teaching room and then went outside under a tree and were taught.

• Level 1: Beth Shemesh - Boys and girls went to school until around age 12. Most all girls would get married between ages of 11-15 (menstruation age). Most all boys would continue in the family trade/business – one trade only.

• Level 2: Beth Midrash – for those students who showed promise in studies thus far. Would join a Rabbi – begin to explain what it meant and interpret it.

• Level 3: Beth Talmud – Interpretation stage. This is a special school for the absolute superstars – like making the NBA or NFL, only for the elite. To become a talmudim is to be a disciple. This is only for the intensely driven, to become just like the Rabbi.

Disciples: Jesus called disciples from out of this model of discipleship. The disciples were the ones who didn't make it in the regular cut... they were already in the boats, or in other trades doing the family business. They probably were no older than teens. Peter possibly being the oldest of at least 20 years old. There is evidence of this in several places. When Jesus says, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple...” (Matthew 10:42) Also, after Jesus resurrection, he calls out to the disciples fishing just off shore, “Little children (not 'friends') – have you got any fish?” (John 21:5) Another hint: Every 20 year old had to pay a ½ shekel temple tax. Jesus says to Peter, “What do you think Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes – from their own children (sons) or from others?” “From others.” Peter replied. “Then the children (sons) are exempt.”

(Jesus thinks he doesn't have to pay – but Jesus pays anyway.... ) “But so that we may not offend them, go...” and pay the taxes... He calls his disciples 'little ones' or children (sons). The interesting thing about the calling of the disciples is that Jesus chooses them... he finds them and says, “Come follow me!” and then tells them, (paraphrase) “Go change the world!” This paradox of rabbi to disciple choosing comes through again when Jesus tells his disciples on that last night with them, “I am leaving you... Remember, you did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last!” (John 15:16) Being a disciple of Jesus is not just about knowing him – it's about being like Jesus – it's about following him. Am I a disciple? How many disciples do I know? Peter's denial in Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, and John 18:15-18, 25-27 is the ultimate slap to Jesus. Every time, when Jesus predicts Peter will deny him, Peter replies, “Why can't I follow you? I will lay my life down for you.” Yet, Peter, three times denies Jesus when asked, “You are one of his disciples!?” “No – I am not! I don't know him!” A disciple always asks, “Do I have what it takes?” A rabbi will accept very few disciples. In every single case, Jesus asks the disciples to follow him.. Jesus believed they could do it. And... “It's gonna take everything you've got!” Woman caught in adultery: (John 7:53-8:11) Two ways of looking at this: Shammai – strict adherence to the letter of the law – stone her! Hillel – Don't stone her... When Jesus was writing in the dust, he was probably referring to a text in Jeremiah where those who take advantage of the weak will have their “name written in the sand.” Jewish wedding: Girls marry around age 14-16, men around age 20. The man proposes to the girl with the drink...if she accepts the proposal, she drinks. The man goes home to make a wedding chamber. The bride prepares with oil for the lamps and gets the bridesmaids organized. When the wedding chamber is complete, a trumpet blows, The groom goes to the village in the evening, carries the bride home and they consummate the marriage.. This is a seven day celebration. Interesting wedding carry over to Jesus and the writings of Paul:

• Jesus first miracle was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee when he turned the water to wine. (John 2:1-11)

• Jesus goes to prepare a 'bridal chamber' for us... Heaven is like an insula (a huge one, a mansion, with many rooms – a city!) and when the bridal chamber is ready, a trumpet will sound! And Jesus will come to get his bride (the church!). “In my Father's house are many room; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3) “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command , with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) • The 'wedding vows' of Passover: “This is cup of a new covenant in my blood.” Drinking from

the same cup is a sign of marriage... Mezuzah: “...Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:8-9) A Mezuzah is a piece of parchment with

scripture on it, usually the Shema, which is then affixed to the door frame of a Jewish home. So that when you go in or out you 'live by these words.' “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Olive Shoots/Trees: “Your children are like olive shoots... Children are the trees of tomorrow.” A common phrase in Jewish community. (Psalm 127) Olive shoots that come from the roots, if taken with a piece of the trunk will grow into an olive tree of its own. Shoots from the roots are called hoter or hoterim (plural). Shoots off of the branches are Netzer (im – plural). Israel is often called an olive tree. In Jeremiah God judges Israel, “The Lord called you a thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form. But with the roar of a mighty storm he will set it on fire, and its branches will be broken.” We saw many olive trees... some would have been young trees when Jesus walked around Galilee and Jerusalem. Amazing trees that if pruned and cared for will produce large numbers of olives. Used for food and for oil. Branches that do not produce fruit will be cut off – those that produce fruit will be pruned to be even more fruitful. Faith has to have fruit or it will be cut off. Zechariah 4 speaks about a vision of Zechariah where he sees a lampstand (oil) and two olive trees. Zechariah asks the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the left and the right of the lampstand?” The angel replies, “These are the two anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.” The oil in the lampstand is for anointing (symbolizing the Holy Spirit.) The two olive trees are from the royal line of David and Joshua the priest. Ultimately they will come together in the Messiah – Jesus! Zechariah 6 speaks of a 'shoot' person. “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit...” Isaiah 11:1 – referring to Jesus. Israel is cut down... Jesus lived in 'netzerville' – Nazareth... he is from shoot-ville. What's cool is that Jesus was born in “Star-ville” (Bethlehem) and grows up in “shoot-ville” (Nazareth). Paul refers to gentiles as being 'ingrafted' branches. “...if the root is holy, so are the branches... though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root... remember... the root supports you.” We were worthless until we were grafted in. He goes on to say that Israel, though cut off from the olive tree can be grafted back into the tree again if they believe. Jesus is grafted into the stump and we are grafted into Jesus – by faith. And faith has to have fruit or the branch will be cut off. Jesus walks on Water: Matthew 14:22-36

• Jesus makes (compels – sense of crisis) the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side. Maybe, the people and the disciples wanted to make him king – by force. (By the way, the disciples can't swim.) Jesus went up onto the mountainside by himself to pray.

• An East wind begins to blow and the wind and waves make the journey across a struggle. Jesus watches them all night... finally going out to them at the 4th watch of the night (3:00-6:00am), walking on the water. Jesus was planning to just walk on by.

• When the disciples saw him, they ze'akah in fear thinking he was a ghost. • “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” Peter wants to get out on the water – do what the rabbi

does. Where are the other disciples? They remain sitting in the boat. Peter climbs out of the boat, walks towards Jesus, and then begins to sink... Does Peter doubt Jesus or doubt himself? Probably doubts himself. (RVL) “You of little persistence... (faith).” They end up in Gennesaret.

Another water trip and not getting out of the boat: Jesus again said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” A storm comes up and nearly swamps the boat. Jesus is sleeping in the front of the boat... (Hear the echoes of Jonah.) The disciples wake him, “Don't you care if we drown?” (Similar to the sailors waking Jonah, “How can you sleep? Call on your God!.” Jonah 1:6. Jesus gets up and says, “Quiet! Be still!” And the wind dies down and it becomes completely calm. The Finger of God! (The disciples know the Psalms, “YHWH stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:29) Jesus says, “Do you still have no faith? Why are you so afraid?” The disciples were terrified and said, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” They will call him Lord. (Another echo of Jonah where he says, “I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”(Jonah 1:9) And the text says, “The Lord sent a great wind on the sea... they threw Jonah overboard and the sea grew calm... The men feared the Lord, offered a sacrifice, and made vows to him.” (Jonah 1:4,15-16 ) The finger of God and they will call him Lord and Shalom breaks out. In this powerful display, Jesus said to the disciples (paraphrase of the event), “I am the Lord God!”.... “I am!” Shalom breaks out! (You can dance to if you like!) And the very next story, after they made it to the other side (east) near the region of the Gerasenes (gentile area/Decapolis), is when Jesus gets out of the boat and is confronted by a man with an evil spirit. Gerosim – 'land of the expelled ones.' Nearby there is a steep cliff, a herd of pigs, and some tombs. (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, Matthew 8:28-34) The text says, “No one was strong enough to subdue him.” (Except Jesus.... :)) Jesus says, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” The man said, “Send us into the bigs; allow us to go into them.” And they did, 2000 pigs rushed down the steep bank, into the lake, and were drowned. The Finger of God! “Jesus, Son of the Most High God!” They will call him Lord. When the townspeople came out to see him, the man was dressed and in his right mind. He went and began to tell everyone what Jesus had done for him. Shalom breaks out! Worthy to note:

1) Again, the disciples fail to get out of the boat... When the demon-possessed man approaches them, the disciples stay in the boat – only Jesus gets out of the boat and confronts him. Maybe the disciples were afraid of becoming unclean.... Or becoming unclean by encountering this dirty, unkept, wild man who is bleeding from cutting himself... Just like when Peter got out of the boat to walk to Jesus – none of the other disciples got out of the boat – only Peter. Will I have the courage to get out of the boat – whether its a step of faith on the water, or persistence in a God given task, or to enter into hostile, 'unclean' territory?

2) The disciples were afraid that they would be swallowed up in the 'Abyss' (Sea of Galilee) when the storm was threatening to swamp the boat. Yet, it was the demons who were swallowed up in the Abyss... If Jesus can calm the storm... and God can send a fish to rescue Jonah... will he not take care of his 'little ones'? Ironically, when it came time to get out of the boat and off of the Abyss... they chose to stay in the boat...

3) What possibly could this now healed, demon possessed man, be thinking? “A Jew came here – to pagan country, to the Decapolis, to an 'unclean' part of the world, to the land of the expelled ones, to a land that worshiped pigs????? Why? He came for me!” Jesus came all the way across the lake for one unclean crazy guy...

4) The people of the Gerasene region ask Jesus to leave... they were afraid. Afraid of what? Probably because Jesus had cost them a lot of money... The price of healing this man (2,000 pigs at 6 months wages per pig...) was more than they could handle. The cost was too high. He

had in one finger of God event crippled their Hellenistic ways. They didn't want any more loss of revenue... The people didn't seem to care about the guy as much as they did about their wallet.

5) Where did the man get new clothes? Probably from the disciples... a great lesson for followers of Jesus... If someone is in need – help him... “If you do it to the least of these, you do it to me...” (Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Matthew 25:31-46)

6) It's interesting that Hippo is only a short distance from this place... In Hippo, the Nicene Creed is birthed... Could it be a descendant of the healed man? Or someone who heard his witness and passed it on? Could be...

“Clean and Unclean” 3 types:

1. Skin disease – anything skin related from leprosy to acne. 2. Discharge of any bodily fluid – semen, menstration, blood... 3. Touched by a dead body: human or animal.

Ancient/Future: Jesus touches all three types of uncleanliness. So go out and touch 'unclean' people. Clean and unclean seems to have been extended to include other things as well: other people groups, regions of land and country, demon possessed, etc... Gamla – Zealots!

• Located in the Bashan Mountains, in the Golan Heights region, up the wadi of Gamla is a settlement area of two times in history: Early Bronze Age (3200-2700 BC – 1000 yrs before Abraham) and then by the Israelites after Babylon (150 BC.) It's name comes from the Hebrew word gamal, meaning camel... for it's humpback shape. It was destroyed in 67AD and all its inhabitants were killed. (9 out of 10 that Jesus was in this synagogue during his lifetime. Interesting fact – the synagogue here faces West (doesn't face Jerusalem... could this indicate the zealots had turned their back on Jerusalem and have decided to do things there way?)

• About 5,000 people living on a crest... wanted to be isolated. Built a synagogue... mostly zealots who split off of the Pharisees... there MO was to bring about the kingdom of God via force and the sword – against Rome! Drive back evil – bring Shalom by force.

• Jesus Shalom came through loving neighbor – and self-sacrifice. A very different method to achieve the same goal. Loving enemies vs. defeating enemies. Even the most enlightened of Jesus disciples didn't get Jesus way of Messiah. Right up to the encounter in the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples were willing to fight! For a 1st century Jew it would be very difficult to understand Jesus teachings and methods when it comes to thoughts and attitudes of the Messiah. They were used to teaching from Jewish leaders along the lines of Isaiah 61, “... and proclaim the day of vengeance of our God.” and Zechariah 14, “The Lord will go out and fight against those nations who attack Jerusalem... The Lord will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem... their flesh will rot, their eyes will rot out of their sockets... they will be stricken with great panic..., etc.” It's interesting that Jesus doesn't want anyone to talk about him after performing miracles when he is in 'zealot country.' Because they would want to make him king. This gives us insight into Judas Iscariot, (Judas... i'sacari') a zealot... could it be that he was simply trying to get Jesus to fight the Romans like a zealot would by pushing him into a corner by being arrested??? When he didn't see Jesus responding with force – did he doubt his claims? Worth hagah'ing on that one... Jesus revealed himself more along the lines of the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah, and passages such as Zechariah 4:6, '“Not by might, not

by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord.' In the end, Jesus was killed for being a 'terrorist' or zealot! Jesus died between two zealots. How ironic is that? Pilate knew Jesus was not a threat – but he up against the wall with the Roman rulers... In the end, after Jesus resurrection, the disciples 'got it'... they went on to die, not to kill...

• There were three major Jewish revolts... and each time, in due time, the Romans crushed them. In 66 AD, there was a riot and 3,500 Romans were killed... in response, 20,000 Jews were slaughtered. Hillel followers and Essenes even joined in the fighting. Many Jews died in revolting against Roman occupation. The challenge was to convince Israel that changing the world comes through love. The only way to change the world is to give our lives for others. For the most part, Shammai was in agreement with the zealots and their methods. Hillel mainly stood for no fighting except in the final judgment. The zealots would have called Hillel and his followers 'pacifists.' Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies... that's radical teaching for a 1st century Jew.

• Story has it that Matthew Joseph (Josephus Flavius) was the leader of the Jewish outpost of Gamla in 66AD. He was a master with terror tactics and told the Jews to fill in the walls around Gamla to fortify the city for defense. Matthew Joseph was caught by the Romans and was 'adopted' by According to Josephus, some 4,000 inhabitants were slaughtered while 5,000 others, while trying to escape down the steep northern slope, were either trampled to death or fell, perhaps threw themselves down a ravine (Josephus, The Jewish War IV, 1-83). This happened on October 20, 67AD, the day we were in Gamla. Maybe Josephus exaggerated the numbers, but there is no doubt that this zealot stronghold was overcome by the Roman siege, led by Flavius Vespasian, and the people were killed. Was it a slaughter? Mass suicide like Masada? The Greek word Josephus used implies a hasty, clumsy flight. Apparently, the Romans broke through a section of the outer wall that wasn't filled with rocks. Why was this section left unfilled?

• Cana of Galilee... was another 'terrorist' zealot town... This is where Jesus performed his first miracle – turning the water to wine. Kanah in Hebrew means sold out commitment, passionate devotion to a cause, intense, using violence as needed. They were a people trained in war. Kanah is used to describe God in Exodus 20, “I am a jealous God.” God is a kanah God. 1 Kings 19:10, Elijah fless to Horeb and God asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” And Elijah answers, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.” When Phinehas the priest stood up and intervened for the people after a plague broke out on the people because of their Baal worship, God credited it to him as righteousness. (Psalm 106:28-31) For the zealots, (kana'im) they will even fight their own people if they have to.

• During Herod's life, he would go on rampages – killing 5,000 Israelites in one afternoon. This type of outburst happened three times! The zealots wanted a Messiah to crush their enemies! The zealots were not crazy – this was the world they lived in. They became known as the sekari – the dagger men, a group of assassins. Everytime the Jews revolted – a Roman persecution would break out. If anyone knows how to fight by the sword and pledge allegiance by force, it's the Romans.... and every time, the revolts failed. When Gamaliel argued against killing Jesus he brings up the fact that any revolt fails... Just leave Jesus alone... if it's of God, can't do anything about it... if its not of God, it will go away. Acts 5:35

• Jesus came not as a warrior king... but a sacrificial one... “Day of the Lord's vengeance” is missing in Luke 4 when Jesus quotes the text (compared to Isaiah 61). Whether Luke keeps it our on purpose or Jesus never read it – it's curious... Jesus teaches, “If anyone wants to be my disciple? Take up his cross and follow me.” Jn. 2:17, Ps. 69:9

• The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Tenants) that Jesus told is fascinating in light of the zealots history... Who should we be looking for in the Messiah? What method's should we use

to defeat the Romans? In the parable, Jesus sends servants to the vineyard as representatives for himself (think prophets, priest, kings...) to check on the fruit of the harvest.... They beat then and send them away empty handed... If the angels were talking this over with God you could imagine them saying, “Should we send another Elijah? Isaiah? David? Moses? Jeremiah?...” But the owner of the field (God) says, “I will send my son. They will listen to him.” The vineyard workers kill the son... or is it SON... Powerful... (Luke 20:9-19, Matthew 21:33-46)... Jesus brings a whole new way... fulfilling the law of God.

So after this brief excursion through zealot history and the comparisons between Jesus way, the Roman way, and the zealot way... Where is Rome today? Where is Babylon? Where is Egypt? Where are the zealots (kana'im)? And yet, the Kingdom of God that follows the Jesus way continues to grow... Synagogue: Synagogue is really not a building... its wherever a small group of people gathered for worship/Torah reading/study. In an actual synagogue, there are chief seats where only the elders would sit. You have to be asked/invited to sit there and affirmed by the community. Everyone else sat on the floor. In 250 BC they would recite the Lord's Prayer already... There was a Torah closet, Moses seat, Basilica, Bimah, Room for Study (School). Synagogues are considered the center of community life. The Torah was divided into regular readings.... with other assigned readings from the haftorah (prophets). Jesus was appointed to read in Nazareth and in Capernaum according to references in Scripture. A typical service:

• Begin with a micveh. (Ritual bath) • Sit on a mat and face bimah. (Reading platform) or the chief seats if qualified. :) • The leader comes in saying Shema. (Dt. 6:4-5) • Another prayer (very much like the Lord's Prayer). • 30-45 minutes of reading Torah (parasha portion) and possibly haftorah to follow (It's

interesting that in Luke only records a short parasha reading from Isaiah... Luke has an intention and a point being made by cutting the reading short.... could it be, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21) be the point of his included verses that Jesus read from Isaiah 61? As was synagogue custom... the reader would stand when the word of God was read.... then sat down to teach.

• Some teaching based on the text? • Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. You would look at the wings (Kanaf) during the

blessing as it is given... remembering God's name placed on the people. • Could leave an offering but not required.

Every rabbi had their own prayer that they would teach their disciples... Jesus taught them what we call, “The Lord's Prayer.” Olive oil tithe: The best Extra virgin oil went to God in the tithe – then it went to the poor. Give God (poor) the best! What we usually do is give the Salvation Army and Goodwill our leftovers... and keep the new stuff. Jesus and paying taxes (tribute): Matthew 22:15-22 The Pharisees and the Herodians were trying to lay a trap for Jesus. They ask him, “Can we pay tribute/give worship to Caesar?” (Tribute is a special way to say, “Caesar is God.”) Jesus knows what they are doing and says, “You hypocrites (actors) – you are trying to trap me!” He cleverly asks for a

coin of Caesar's and says, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” Caesar's they answered. “Then give (back or render) to Caesar's what is Caesars and to God what is God's.” This is a marvelous response by Jesus – his words have duel meaning... 1) Go ahead and pay money to Caesar - it has his face and inscription on it, but 2) Don't call him God! P.S. - As far as you and I, we are created in the image of God... that is the image we carry – it's on and in us... we belong to him. So give to God what is God's... yourself. Related to taxes: When a census was taken of the entire Roman world – Zealots and followers of Shammai would not be a part of a census... They would be subject to no one. Herodian's and Sadducee's would be a part of a census. What would Hillel do? Hillel would say God gave it to him in the first place, so go ahead and pay it. (Jeremiah 27:5-6) Mary and Joseph were Hillel and they complied with the census by traveling to Bethlehem to register. Paul and the Damascus Road: Acts 9:1-19 Saul is persecuting the Christians. Why? Is it because the Jews are giving the Gentiles a free pass on the commands of God, such as circumcision, ritual baths, kosher food, etc.? Wouldn't it be just like God to send Saul to the Gentiles? Could it be that Paul simply needs to add Jesus to the Jews equation of salvation? Saul didn't need a conversion as much as a repentant heart. In Acts 26:12-20, Paul is recalling his Damascus Road experience to King Agrippa. “...I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We fell to the ground and I heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Why are you kicking against the Word of God? “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”) Is this a conversion experience for Paul? No... this is a repentance (just like Ezekiel's, Isaiah's, and Jeremiah's). Paul was devout in Judiasm – more advanced and zealous than any other Jews his age (Galatians 1:13-16). God had set him apart from birth! Paul's experience is just like Isaiah's (49:1-6), Ezekiel's (1:25-2:8), and Jeremiah's (1:5). The Lord called Isaiah, “before he was born,” “Made mention of his name from birth,” “formed me in the womb to be his servant,” to be a “light for the Gentiles to bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” When the Lord appeared to Ezekiel he heard a voice from above and saw what was like “glowing metal... full of fire... bright light surrounded him... I fell facedown and heard a voice... Stand up! I am sending you...” And to Jeremiah the Lord said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations...” Wow!!!! I never realized that Paul's road to Damascus experience has many similarities to the major prophets.... And a minor one as well... Jonah. Jonah, 'kicked against the goad' too. He kicked against the Word of God in not going to Nineveh with the message of God. Both Paul and Jonah spent three days in darkness as a penalty for their 'kicking.' Both went where they were supposed to after the period of darkness and repentance. Caesarea of Phillippi: (Also called Banyas/Banius) – Located 25 miles North of the Sea of Galilee at the base of Mt. Hermon. This was a center for Baal worship because of the largest spring that feeds the Jordan River. The water seems to come from out of a cave in the rock – a river of water! In 334BC Alexander the Great built a village here (called Panius – place of Pan.) Herod built a fort, and later, Phillip built his capital here... They worshiped Pan – a half goat/half man God. This God had a long penis and the worship of Pan centered around all kinds of sexual worship practices – including sex with goats. During the yearly festival, a 100,000 people gathered here for worship of Pan. They would have

sex near the opening in the cliff called the “Gates of Hades” on a platform area called “Rock of the Gods” .... interesting... Jesus took his disciples here to this region, and asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19) – only Matthew record the highlighted words) Could it be that Jesus was saying his kingdom will be built on this chaos – on this rock of paganism? I like that! Jesus is saying the church will bring Shalom to this chaos! Sitting there, you could imagine Jesus calling out in a loud voice a few verses later, in Matthew16:26, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” I can also imagine the disciples looking around and saying, “Don't shout Jesus.... Herod lives here!!!” Jesus is bold! Mark 8:27-9:1 tells this very same story, and Mark adds after these lines, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.” Jesus is calling his disciples to build Shalom in places like Caesarea... and be bold! P.S. Jesus talks in this context about suffering, being killed and then raised on the third day. Peter vehemently objects, “Never Lord! This shall never happen to you!” And Jesus turns and says to Peter, “Get behind me Satan!... you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23) It's as if Jesus is saying to Peter, “I lead, I'm the Rabbi...” The very next story is the Transfiguration. Maybe, this took place on Mt. Hermon. Ceasarea is at the foot of Mt. Hermon. The story of the transfiguration is an echo, reenactment, of Exodus 24. Moses went up the mountain with Aaron, the elders, and with Joshua. Exodus 24:15 says, “When Moses went up on the mountain of God, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled (tabernacled) on Mount Sinai.... for six days the cloud covered it...” Now listen to Matthew 17, “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John and led them up the mountain... he was transfigured and his face shone like the sun...” And then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, I will put up three shelters (tabernacles)... while he was speaking a bright cloud enveloped them and a voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am delighted. Listen to him.”” And the disciples fell face down... God quotes his own words to Jesus. 1) Psalm 2:7, “He said to me, “You are my Son.” 2) Isaiah 42:1, “...my chosen one in whom I delight!” and 3) Deuteronomy 6:4, “Listen O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God...” The parallels are stunning – 6 days, going up the mountain, a cloud 'tabernacled' and the word play of tabernacle, a voice from heaven, and the implications of “...listen to him” And “falling on their faces.” Now take a look at Psalm 43, “You are God my stronghold.... Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain to the tents where you live... (Where you tabernacle....) Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Who is truth? For a Jew - Moses, Elijah, and the 'Messiah' of Isaiah 42 are all truth... There is light... brilliant light... Peter is just putting two and two together, piecing the text together to determine from Psalm 42 - “We have truth and light – we need tents.” Jesus says of himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life...” John 14:6 Jesus says of himself, “I am the light of the world...” John 8:12

Parables: Jesus uses visuals in his teaching that the people can “see.” The parables are founded on the text... in order to get the deeper meaning, you need to “know the secrets to the Kingdom...” Meaning: you need to know the text. When the disciples asked him about parables, Jesus said, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.” (Mark 4:11) The disciples have the secrets – search the text! An interesting parable: Jesus is always using the text – giving clues to the disciples about his teaching. In Matthew 13:33, Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour (3 seahs – 22 liters – 20 quarts) until it worked all through the dough.” The word of measurement for large amount is the same amount of measurement that Sarah used to make bread for the angel visitors (3 seahs – 22 liters – 20 quarts) who came to see Abraham and Sarah and tell them of a coming promised child. Coincidence? Hardly... The Jordan River: “the descender” begins at 3,500 ft above sea level and descends to 700 ft below sea level into the Dead Sea.

• Begins at Mount Hermon – 28 miles to Sea of Galilee • 12 miles in the Sea of Galilee (12 x 7 miles) • 90 miles from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea • In 130 miles the River flows 200 miles total with its meandering switchbacks considered...

The Israelites crossed into the promised land at flood stage of the Jordan river. (Joshua 3) In Israel's history, the Jordan river is never sacred or worshiped – it is only used as a boundary or obstacle. Mentioned 181 times in the OT and 15 in the NT – mentioned the most of any other geographical feature. Every time God does a new thing it follows a pattern: Out of chaos – ruach (breath, wind, spirit) – and then temptation. Creation: chaos – ruach – temptation... “Formless void” (tohu wabohu) – “Spirit hovered” – temptation of Adam and Eve Noah: chaos – ruach – temptation “Everyone did evil all the time...” - Flood – Noah's sons sexual perversion. Red Sea: chaos – ruach – temptation Egypt and slavery/Pharoah's army – wind blew/water parted – grumbling, disobey/40 years in Jesus baptism: chaos – ruach – temptations sin – dove hovered – tempted in the desert And now the Israelites are about to enter the promised land: desert – Jordan crossing/renewed covenant – temptations galore (other gods, other women, etc.) First thing: Achan's sin... (took something from Jericho and hid it.) Most of them didn't remember the Read Sea... This time God says, “Purify yourselves...” before entering the land. Then he says to Joshua, “Take the ark and go... Go and stand in the middle of the river!” (Joshua 3:6-7) This is different than the Red Sea, this time he is saying, “Go do it and then I'll

divide the water.” When their feet touched the waters edge – the water upstream stopped flowing... completely cut off – dried up for 26 miles and the ground where they crossed was dry. “I am the God of Egypt, the desert, and the promised land.” (Paraphrase!) Why did God have them cross at floodstage? The land is filled with foreign gods... namely Baal! Baal is the God of thunder and lightning – and rain is his sperm... the flood stage of the river is a result of Baal's fertility... Does God have power here? If God stops the flow of the Jordan – then God is greater than Baal. God has power! “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go... Be strong and very courageous.” (Joshua 1:7,9) When they reach Jericho, Rahab's faith is already in the God of Israel, who is stronger than Baal, the rain God. Rahab acknowledges it as a display of power. “I know the Lord has given you this land... the people of Canaan are in fear of you.... we heard of the Red Sea, the defeat of Sihon and Og... for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 1:8-11) Lesson: How many times have I been called into chaos? How many times have I stepped in? God said, “Be strong and courageous... I will go with you wherever you go.” We are called to step into the chaos - - -jump! The Decapolis: Pagans Beth She'an... In 337 BC, Alexander the Great (Greece) invaded this land and wanted to spread Hellenism. His philosophy: If the world sees how we are (the Greeks) they will want it. Hellenism is dangerous – it makes you think you need more than you need. It is a 'religion' and way of life built on pleasure, aesthetics, and pleasing the senses. Soldiers and their families were given land by Alexander. He planted cities this way giving stability, military presence, and loyalty. From Caesarea Phillippi to Gaza, he built 10 cities of Greek communities. He used public institutions such as media, education, sports, and religion to spread his worldview. He funded the theater and the arts. For art determines what is beauty and truth. He planted Greek schools and developed the spectacle of 'the gymnasium.' He took the highest expectations of a culture and put it on display through sport. Arena's and circuses were many and frequent. The Greek mythology/religion developed into gods that were created/made in humanities image. From the city gate to the stage – statues of Greek gods in human form abounded. Hellenism is where the humans become 'God.' Call it humanism. As you can imagine, Greek temples abounded. “Man is the measure of all things.” There is no ultimate truth – truth is you, truth is me. Good is what the human thinks is beautiful. Combine this with the belief that the human being is the ultimate perfection and evil is imperfection... The hungry, the elderly, the pregnant, the unwanted baby, the Downs Syndrome person, the homeless... were of less value than the strong, beautiful, healthy, person in their prime... Value is assigned based on perceived beauty... It was frequent practice to leave babies outside the city gate.... left to die. Elderly and pregnant women could not have access to the hospital. If you were poor, hungry, and in need you could not enter the city gate... (Side note: It's significant to observe in the early churches that they destroyed the social class system when it came to the body of Christ, communion, fellowship meals, worship, etc. Everyone was invited to the banquets... everyone invited to have a place at the table.) Hellenism says, “I am the lord of my life. Life is about ME...” Its all about power, pleasure, leisure...

relativism is king... permissiveness is the norm... Whatever urge you have is right and you have a right to self-gratification. Rome wasn't much better in these things... they just became better spectators... Hellenism 'wants to be someone' and spends lots of time, money, and energy 'looking good' to impress. The Greeks were obsessed with image, appearance, the human body and pleasure. The poor were not allowed into the cities themselves... the cities were reserved for those who 'had it' or 'looked it' or 'could buy it.' Hellenism is a worldview of the eyes. From the moment you see the city gates of Beth She'an you can see its built to impress. Statues of impressive humans (gods) line the tops of the city gate and are placed everywhere atop buildings and along colonnades. “We are something!” The city has no walls. When we first came over the hill (Acropolis) overlooking Bet She'an... we were all very impressed... just as Alexander the Great would have wanted it. Impressive streets lined with large columns and shops, two main streets – East/West (Decumanus) and North/South (Cardo). If you walk Cardo-Decuminus streets you will know what it is to be Greek. And in the center of the city are two main temples of worship: 1) Dionysius - god of wine, ecstasy, and pleasure. The modeled lifestyle: “Get drunk and find pleasure in sexual promiscuity.” and 2) Asclepion - god of healing. Two theaters are seen in the distance – a large one on the far end of Cardo street and a smaller theater to the right halfway down Cardo. There was a significant gymnasium area as well. The Sadducee's and Herodian's loved what Hellenism had to offer. The zealots hated this stuff and just added fuel to their already inflamed hearts. We too are shaped by the pursuit and 'religion' of Hellenism... RVL saw it when we came over the hill. As RVL said, “I saw a window into your souls! You know you love it!” and we do... from sport and celebrity stars, the box office to the stadium, our skyscrapers to the space shuttle, the salon to the Health Club, the diet to the 401K, the 'Ken and Barbie' syndrome, the consumer slogan “I love to shop!”, the 90% of the world's porn industry generated in the USA... we like to look good, we love to have it, and enough is never enough... Alexander – you the man!!! And then we come face to face with being a disciple of Jesus... Live simply so that others can simply live... sell all you have and give it to the poor... Store up treasure in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... what does it profit anyone to gain the world but loose his soul... (Echo's of Galilee and the Sermon on the Mount and warning's from Jesus outside of Caesarea Phillippi.) The shock of RVL's words heard by everyone in the city of Beth She'an is hopefully starting to sink in... Hellinism is the “time killing pursuit for pleasure.” But to Judaism, and following Jesus, is “time filling repair of broken things.” Who are our hero's? Who do we put up on a pedestal and say, “This is the ideal and they are living the life!”? Friends, God calls us to live in the Decapolis and among the Decapolis people. Remember Caeserea... “On this rock...”, on the top of the Acropolis, on top of Beth She'an, it's temples and gymnasium's, it's theaters and coliseums... with these people... I will build my church! Children will be born here... There is chaos that needs Shalom... and in order to stand strong in a place like the Decapolis, it will require a community of people bringing Shalom together. If a stranger were to walk our main street, what would they know about us? If a stranger were to look at our culture – what would they conclude about who is valued? Is it the homeless? The unborn? The elderly? Fact is, the battle for 'life' issues

on both ends of the human age spectrum is a battle for the heart and values of a culture. Side note: Jews knew that if you bought into this Greek worldview and the life that flowed out of it, you would end up feeding pigs... This has special meaning in the context of our study time in Beth She'an and Susita. Pigs were unclean... and they were abundant in the Decapolis retion. It also gives us deeper understanding into the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It was a disgrace and cause for shame when a son would ask for his family inheritance... the inheritance belongs to everyone as a family... yet, the one son took his inheritance... and what is worse... he squanders it in Hellenism and Pagan living... and he ends up not only feeding pigs, but eating their food as well... Of interest:

• In Beth She'an, Less than 5% of the ruins have been discovered/uncovered. • Did the Pharaoh's, Alexander the Great, and the Emperors of Rome believe this would last

forever? With only 10 plagues in a short span of time, Egypt was crippled... In just 10-15 seconds, Beth She'an was leveled from an earthquake in 749AD... It was never rebuilt.

• The Book of Revelation is structured after the Roman Colosseum games. Susita: Decapolis worldview written all over it... 32,000 hand made pipes for water movement. Many different types of columns – Egyptian Granite, Turkish Granite/Marble, Limestone, Basalt, etc... This is the first place outside of the Jewish regions that the Gospel took hold. And what was the need these people had? Not – “I can't wait to go to heaven and now I will be going.” It was groaning for “Shalom to come into the chaos.” This area became the hotbed for the growth of the church in later years... a central place for the 'hammering out' of central doctrinal issues of Christian Orthodoxy. A Bishop of Susita wrote the first draft of the Nicene Creed. It's interesting that the gospel took off in places like Asia. However, when it became all about creed and organization, and Christians became the majority... the church died. Some think that when Constantine made Christianity the 'law of the land' that Christianity began to die. Jesus came to the Decapolis area at least three times that are recorded:

• Feeding of the 4,000 (Probably mostly gentiles – Mark 8:1-9... Matthew 16:1 &4) • After crossing the Sea of Galilee through the storm with the disciples and encountering the

demon possessed man. (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39) • He walks through the region on his travels from one place to the other... and on his way, he

meets some believers!!! How cool is that! This means that the unclean crazy demoniac was preaching to the masses – in the Decapolis!

Side Note: In Acts 13:19, Paul speaks about God “overthrowing seven nations in Canaan and gaving their land to his people as their inheritance...” Remember seven is a complete number... could be for good or for evil... The seven nations of Canaan were 'evil' in that they were at odds with God's people. In Mark 5:1 there is reference to the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee to “the region of the Gerasenes (Gadarenes, Gergesenes).” Again, this is where Jesus healed the demon possessed man and sent them into the pigs... This is the region where later in church history, a significant church presence is located. The Jews referred to this area in the Decapolis as the 'land of seven.' That's an interesting coincidence... What God did with Israel in conquering the promised land - he is doing again in Jesus. Kanaf (corner) – covered with his wings...

If you obey my commands... God blesses/covers with his wings. The story of Ruth, a Moabite woman, tells about her gleaning from the 'corners' of Boaz field... When harvesting, if any fruit (wheat) drops to the ground, is remains for the poor. Ruth uncovers Boaz feet... (This is an expression that means, 'exposing his genitals.' This is not necessarily sexual. The intent is to remind Boaz of his circumcision covenant. Boaz says, “I'm not the nearest relative... I'm not your “Kinsman Redeemer.” “I want to obey God so let me take care of this situation right away.” He extends the 'corner' of his robe over her... he obeys God... in that obedience he protects her... Where Judah failed to obey... (Story of Tamar, read Genesis 38) Boaz is faithful... And both Ruth/Boaz are in Jesus lineage and honored in this way for their obedience. Malachi speaks about the Messiah coming with “healing in his wings.” (Malachi 4:2) When Jesus encounters a bleeding woman, who is 'unclean/untouchable' because of her continual bleeding discharge, she touches the kanaf... corner... of his robe and she is healed! (Matthew 9:18-22 and Mark 5:21-34 and Luke 8:42-48) Jesus would be wearing tassels on the corners of his robe in obedience to Torah as a Rabbi. If he didn't, to a Jew, he would be in violation of Torah. Does the woman know the text? Does she know Malachi's prophecy? If she did, this gives powerful weight to Jesus words, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” When healing comes from Jesus wings or kanaf, he is saying, “I am the Messiah!” Jesus many times reveals that he is Lord and Messiah through subtleties that are hidden in the text. As we just saw in the Malachi/Kanaf connection. Another example: In Matthew 23:37-39 Jesus says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing... For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'” Anyone who is a disciple of the text would here the words from Deuteronomy 30:3-4, “Then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back.” Jesus once again, in subtlety of text says, “I am Lord, God, and Messiah.” Thyme: Smell thyme and it will smell like Nazareth. We must be near Jesus home... Quarry: Many of the quarries in Israel are limestone. They would make little trenches, place olive wood planks/shims in the trenches and then add water... the wood would expand and wallahhhh... you had a near perfect cut. You could also hammer the shims into the trenches and crack the rock – and the bottom would be smooth. You would then travel with the rock to the building site and place it in its proper position. Jesus probably was a stone cutter/builder, like his Father – in the quarries outside of Nazareth. When Jesus goes to his hometown of Nazareth and preaches in the synagogue, the people are amazed at his teaching, and they say, “Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us?” The word for carpenter is the same word used for stonemason in Greek, tekton. Tekton is the term for builder. It makes good sense that Jesus was a stonecutter for several reasons:

• Masonry language: God is referred to as the Great Architect. • Naming/meaning of words: Joseph is labeled a 'tekton builder' in the Greek. And Jesus is called

a 'tekton.' It's interesting that in masonry, the term tekton comes from Egyptian roots meaning “children of light.” This makes Jesus a 'Son of Light.'

• Geographically: All around Nazareth there are stone quarries that would have employed many people in the region.

• Practically: They didn't build buildings out of wood – almost everything was out of stone. • Scripture references are many to stone language:

◦ Jesus said, “Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock!” (What a great play on words!)

◦ Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” That's stone mason language.

◦ Jesus said, “Have you never read the in the text: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?... he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” The capstone is laid on the top of the building and ties the whole building together. This is mason language. Peter uses this very same text when before the Sanhedrin to describe Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom they killed and 'rejected.' (Acts 4:10-11)

◦ Over and over the Psalms talk about YHWH being the Rock... ◦ Paul must have known Jesus trade... Listen to him: Romans 9:32, “They stumbled over the

“stumbling stone.” As it is written, “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” The stumbling stone, the stone laid in Zion, the rock, is Jesus. This echo's from Isaiah 51:1, “Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.” Isaiah 26:4, “The Lord is the Rock eternal.” Jesus fulfills the text!

◦ Ephesians 2:20-22, “As members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone... in him the whole building is joined together and rises up to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Is this not the language of a mason???

◦ 1 Peter 2:4-8, “As you come to him – the Living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house... To you who believe, this stone is precious... he is the chosen and precious cornerstone... (Isaiah 28:16, Jeremiah 51:26, Zechariah 10:4) the capstone... the stone that causes men to stumble.”

Succot: Feast of Booths, Feast of Tabernacles Festival of grapes. Young virgins in white dresses jump into winepress and dance while crushing grapes... It was a celebration of fertility – God promises wine and babies... As we watch the ladies dance in the harvest of grapes – we can “see and taste that the Lord is good.” Joel 3:18, “In the day the mountains will drip new win, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water... a fountain will flow out of the Lord's house.” The pictures of dancing, celbration, and wine come together in Jesus miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee... The Messiah is here! And Jesus made gallons of wine!!! A blessing of abundance! The temple was dedicated by Solomon on Succot. It was the first celebration enjoyed by the returnees from the Babylonian exile. Did Jesus rise again on Succot? The firstfruits to rise from the dead?

Jesus use of Hypocrite: Hypocrite: an 'actor'. In the theater of Jesus time – actors were announced by the blowing of a trumpet. Faces would be painted with expressions... Jesus uses hypocrite (actor)16 times to refer to different groups – especially the self-righteous Pharisees. Matthew 6:2, “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites (actors) do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by men.” Matthew 6:5, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites standing on the corners to be seen by men.” Matthew 6:16, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites (actors who paint expressions on their face) do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.” Jesus is always using the language of culture... he did this everywhere he went. On the last day of Galilee, we went to the top of a hill south and west of the Sea of Galilee. It was a beautiful clear day where we could see for miles. The hill we were on overlooking the Galilee region was a crusader stronghold in the 1000's AD. In 1069 was the 1st crusade. In the crusades, ½ million Jews and ½ million Christians were killed. The Crusade campaigns were done in the name of Jesus. This hill, the Horns of Hatine, was the last stand of the Crusades. Most Christians are ignorant of the crusades. The Crusades were not what Jesus was about... It's interesting, that after the Crusades, it didn't take long for the Muslim faith to take root and grow rapidly in the region... Geography: Armageddon On our way to Jerusalem, we looked across the Valley of Jezreel on our climb up Mt Carmel, in the northern branch of the Samaria mountains. We could see Nazareth over the ridge to the North. Mt. Tabor behind Nazareth. Mt. Mora further Northeast. The Valley of Armageddon is directly in front of us... Many biblical battles of the past have been fought here. The Via Maras crosses the valley to the East. Mt Gilboa rises to the sky in the south east. Mt Carmel is on the south ridge of the Jezreel valley. The Valley comes to a 'V' in the West. There are five tels up and down this triangle valley. Megiddo, the largest of the five is the largest layered tell ever found. Lot's of history located here... Fig tree:

• Requires constant care to get good fruit. The fruit of the fig tree is like candy. Proverbs 27:19, “He who tends the fig tree will eat of its fruit... and he who looks after his master will be honored.” As it takes work and tending to enjoy figs – so to, it will be worth it to serve the master. You thank a Rabbi by doing something for him... (like carry his pack for him :)) (I hope RVL didn't make that one up just to get his pack carried for him.) A good reminder to make sure we tend the 'fig trees' among us – pastors, elders, deacons, etc. A servant is never above his master – it's enough to be like the master. It is the desire of a fig tree that it produce fruit.

• How do you look after/serve the master? You serve the master by serving others... Jesus makes this clear in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. (Matthew 25:31-46) To serve the King (Master) is “...When I was naked you clothed me, hungry you fed me, thirsty and you gave me something to drink... do it to the least of these, you have done it to me.” For those who don't tend the 'fig tree' Jesus says, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” If you don't tend the fig tree (look after the Master/serve the King = looking after/serving the least of these) Jesus essentially says, (paraphrase) “Go to hell!”

• When Jesus is in Jerusalem a final time, he passes a fig tree that isn't being any fruit. He cursed it by saying, “May you never bear fruit again!” and it immediately the tree withered. This is

• To sit under the fig tree is to study under a rabbi... Whenever a fig tree is used in scripture, it is mainly in the context of leadership. This is seen in the calling of Nathanael, “Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Come and see.” When

Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” (Matthew 1:47-50) Jesus saw that Nathanael was a person of the text... he was studying... and he was praying... to YHWH. “Come Nathanael, follow me.”

• Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 1:51, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Could it be that Nathanael was studying Jacob and his dream... where “angels were ascending and descending” on a stairway between heaven and earth? (Genesis 28:12) Jesus again is saying, (Paraphrase) “I am the Messiah.”

Modern Preaching Advice:

1. Bring images of actual experience. 2. Use contemporary culture/language. 3. Spreadout the 'figs' – don't give it all at once. (Twist of plot – revelation of truth.)

Elijah:

• Background: Israel and Judah split... 1st king: Jeroboam brought images of Baal and Ashara poles (fertility and sexual rituals) into the Hebrew culture. And King after King did what was evil in the eyes of God – mainly angering God by Israel's worship of worthless gods. King Omri came along and 'sinned more than any other before him.” (1 Kings 16:25) His son Ahab became King and did more evil than Omri, because he married Jezebel. Jezebel turns Ahab's heart to serve Baal and worship him. His queen Jezebel is a ashara priestess.

• God brings Elijah from Gilead – the Tishbite from Tishba... “As the Lord, God of Israel lives, it isn't going to rain until I say so!” (1 Kings 17:1-6) This is a direct attack on Baal – the god of thunder/lightning, who is always depicted with lightning in his hand and whose sperm is rain. Elijah plans to keep God at his word by believing that God will not send rain if God's people worship other gods and idols. Deuteronomy 11:16-17 says, “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the Lord's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.”

• Elijah flees for his life... is fed in the desert by ravens. God leads him to Zarephath of Sidon, to a gentile widow and her son. When he meets her he says, “Would you bring me some bread and water?” She replies, “As surely as the Lord your God lives... I don't have bread... in fact I am mixing my last meal and then my son and I will die.” God works a two miracles through Elijah here: 1) inexhaustible jug of flour and oil and 2) Raising her dead son from the dead. (1 Kings 17:7-24)

• After three years, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go to Ahab and tell him I will send rain on the land.” (1 Kings 18:1) Elijah's word of no rain and harvest was not causing Ahab and Jezebel to suffer... Why? Because Ahab and Jezebel took what they needed from others. It's the people who are suffering. God seems to have more mercy than Elijah and now sends him to tell Ahab he will send rain...

• Elijah goes to Ahab... but instead of telling him God will send rain, he challenges him to a duel on Mt. Carmel. (1 Kings 18:16-46) Elijah is zealous for the Lord and sold out! Mt Carmel looks like a camel with three humps. It comes from two words, karem meaning vineyard, and El meaning God. Mt Carmel means God's vineyard. Isaiah 35:1-2 says, “The desert and the

parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.” Elijah is going to confront his people with the text. (See Deuteronomy 11:16-17 above) He confronts the people again, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (No synchretism!) There are echoes of Joshua here, “Choose you this day whom you will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) In Joshua the people affirm that they choose God and will follow him. In response to Elijah, the people say nothing... the silence of there voices is deafening... The decline of the culture has taken it's toll.

• Elijah gives Ahab, “Baal”, and all the prophets (450 of them) home field advantage. The Rules: Cut up a bull and place in on an altar with wood but do not light it with fire. “You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire – he is God.” Fire from heaven (lightning) is Baal's specialty – he is the god of lightning and rain.

• The prophets of Baal cried out and danced around their altar from morning to noon... no answer. Elijah taunts them, “Shout louder! Perhaps he is deep in thought, busy, or traveling.” The Baal worshipers began to cut themselves until their blood flowed.... all the way til' the evening sacrifice... no answer.

• Finally, Elijah had the people help him repair the altar... The altar was in disrepair... meaning the people had completely neglected their sacrifices to YHWH. He had them bring 12 stones... (12 tribes) Dug a trench around the altar, arranged the wood and cut the bull. Then he poured four large jars of water on the sacrifice. (Could this be the wave offering?) “Do it again!” he said. “Do it a third time!” Everything was saturated and the trench was full.

• Elijah prayed a simple prayer to the covenant God YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, “Let it be known today that you are God in Israel... Answer me Lord... so that these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” So that the world may know! “Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.” (The Finger of God) And the people fell face down and worshiped, “The Lord – he is God! The Lord – he is God!” (They will call him Lord) God honored a man who gave God everything! And in this event, YHWH is greater than Baal! Baal is impotent (rain is his sperm? Ha!). YHWH controls the lightning and the rain... not Baal.

• Elijah commanded the people to seize the prophets of Baal and they slaughtered them all. (Obedience!) Elijah tells Ahab to hurry home – a mighty rain is coming... Elijah sends his servant seven times to look if rain is coming. Ahab takes off in his chariot and Elijah runs ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel... 18 miles! Wow! Elijah doesn't want anything left! Give it all!

Ancient/Future: Jesus is often compared to Elijah, as is John the Baptist. Both Jesus and John must have had Elijah-like passion and people recognized it. Are we sold out like that? Are we zealous for the Lord that we would risk our life so that the world would know the God of Israel? When you die... you don't want to have anything left... At one point, the disciples ask Jesus, “Should we call down fire from heaven?” But Jesus says no... John the Baptist talks about 'the chaff (wicked) being burned up with unquenchable fire.' Jesus says in Luke 12:49, “I have come to bring fire on the earth...” Isaiah 30:27 says, “...His tongue is a consuming fire.” Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like fire?” Malichi 3:2, For he will be like a refiners fire...” Hebrews 12:29 says, that “...Our God is a consuming fire.” Psalm 18:12 speaks of God b y saying,

“Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.” (It makes the fact that Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire very stunning! (2 Kings 2)

• After all this – it's amazing that Elijah is afraid of Jezebel. Jezebel appeals to the gods and sends a message to Elijah that he's as good as dead. And Elijah flees to into the desert. Didn't God just finish proving that the gods (Baal, etc.) are impotent? And where were all the people who said, “The Lord – he is God!”? Elijah is still afraid and runs (literally) for his life... he flees... 250 mile trip... Elijah goes into the desert and sits under a broom tree to die. “I've had enough... Take my life...” (1 Kings 19:1-9) An angel comes and tells Elijah to “get up and eat.” There was bread baking over hot coals (Presence of God) and a jar of water. Elijah slept and an angel came again to him ans said, “get up and eat.” (It's as if God is saying, “Get up and give me twice as much and then come back and talk to me.” RVL) When Elijah wakes again, he travels 40 days and 40 nights to Mt Horeb (Echoes of Moses on the Mt. Sinai with God). While on Mt. Horeb, God reveals himself to Elijah. A great wind came that shattered rocks... then an earthquake... then... FIRE... (Again, similarities to Moses time on Mt. Sinai.) God wasn't in any of them... but then came a whisper. It was God, “What are you doing here Elijah?”... God tells Elijah to go back where he came from. Wow! Then God reveals to Elijah that he is not alone, as he claims to be... there are 7,000 who haven't bowed there knees to Baal and kissed him!

• When God speaks reveals himself in a whisper to Elijah – there is a lesson in it. (RVL) God is

saying, “Power doesn't work.” This isn't what changes the world. All the show of power on Mount Carmel hasn't changed the peoples hearts. “Not by might, not by power, but my my Spirit says the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6)

• Elijah then anoints Elisha to succeed him and disciples him. What you know – pass on to

others. Elijah asks Elisha before he is taken up to heaven, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” Elisha was involved in 13 miracles while living and 1 while dead, 14 total. Elijah was involved in 7 miracles. A double portion! In this final scene of Elijah and the beginning of Elisha's ministry, they both part the water of the Jordan river with Elijah's cloak and the water parts. (Echoes of the Red Sea and of Joshua.

Terraced Hillside Garden: (Gan) God planted a 'gan' in the beginning – the Garden of Eden. A gan in Israel is a terraced farm. The ground needs help to produce. From the beginning, Adam and Eve were to caretake the garden. Already in 3000BC, the people built walls, backfilled with gravel and topsoil. The water drains from terrace to terrace on the hillside. In one garden there could be vines, olive trees, and fig trees. The water would drain from one gan to the next as it seeped down the hillsides. The bottom garden was best – good soil and lots of moisture. There are watchtowers at various positions where one could sit with a slingshot and keep birds and foxes away. Many gans had a family tomb. (Jesus was buried in a gan.) Winepresses also could be present in terraced gardens. (The hillside we sat on viewing the terraced gans is very similar to what the Mount of Olives looked like in Jesus day.) 1 Kings 4:25 says, “During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree.” Gans were plentiful and each garden was producing.

The walls of each gone needed to be regularly maintained for support and structural integrity. One year with one broken wall will destroy 12 gans – one will wash out and break the next one in line. Successful gans is a community effort. The valley of Sorek is named after grapes... there are special vines located there. Figuratively and metaphorically, God planted Israel like choice vines. He built a winepress – expecting fruit, expecting harvest. He was looking for good grapes. He built a watchtower – but the grapes got a fungus and the fruit was small – it stopped growing. Isaiah 5, “My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up (broke the soil) and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well, then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit... When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers (sereem) and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” Our God is looking for good grapes... he planted us and gave us life to follow his commands, to love God above all and our neighbor as ourself. He called us to his mission, “so that the world may know our Lord and Savior.” Only God counts how many grapes are in a seed! Are we growing and multiplying grapes? What are we to do??? Isaiah 5:7, “The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden (gan) of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.” We need to be Repairers of Broken Walls! Take care of your soil (remove the stones and burn with fire the sereem) and work hard at repairing others broken walls! Where there is chaos – we are agents of Shalom! “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Jesus Parable of the Sheep and the Goats) One of my favorite texts in all of Scripture is Amos5:24, “Let justice roll down like a mighty water (fall), and righteousness flow like a never ending stream...” Let mercy resound like the waves on the ocean. Let praises to YHWH rise high on the songs of the redeemed! Isaiah 58:6-12, “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will shine like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rearguard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I! “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend

yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden (gan), like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Thus saith the LORD. And what did God spend for us? Jesus. After our Galilee experience – I am still mystified by God's plan, “In the fullness of time...” Jesus came to earth. A Big Question: Why are Herod and Jesus on the stage of history at the same time?