Once again, today's blog has been composed by the Reverend Ron Stone, who had promised his congregation back home that he would lift prayers for them from the Sea of Galilee....
We crossed the Sea of Galilee a day later than scheduled. Why? We had to visit Banias yesterday because the Israeli army was performing "exercises" in the area today, and travel was not permitted there. Thus, the boat ride today. While we floated on the water there were "booms" aplenty in the distance. Doesn't the world need the Prince of Peace as much as we ever have?
A pastor, as promised, prayed for members of his congregation, family and friends. He became painfully aware that there are a few on his roster about whom he knows little. Still he prayed that the Lord would draw them near him, and that they will discover his full acceptance when he does so in love.
Two native Arkansans, Fairfax and me, had planned a "hog call" as our boat neared Kursi, the location where Jesus transferred the evil spirit possessing the demoniac into a herd of swine which turned, stampeded toward the water, and drowned. The boat's crew looked at the Razorback fans as if we, like the demoniac, had lost our minds. As for casting nets into the sea? The crew was experienced, obviously, but drew in empty nets. Oh, how we wished Jesus had come along today to tell us to cast our nets on the other side! John 21 and the rest of the Gospel rightly proclaim that Jesus has unequaled ideas and action. It's always good to follow his lead!
Real worship began after "pagan worship" was over. Debbie, Dave & Glen reminded their fellow pilgrims that Jesus, with the words from Mark 4:35-41, tells us that "on the sea trouble will come, but Jesus is always with us!" It felt so right to follow with the singing of "Lord, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones. You only asked me to follow humbly."
Ancient Magdala's synagogue is a brand new discovery to biblical archaelogists. Fransicscan monks, care-takers of the site, believe Jesus likely taught there. Why? He taught all around Galilee. Magdala during Jesus' time had around 40,000 inhabitants. The synagogue would have held 200 listeners who would have likely been drawn to hear a very personable rabbi who knew God, the scriptures, and people better than any other!
Claudia, our Palestinian guide, born in Nazareth, but who now resides in modern Magdala, gave us a different take on Mary Magdalene. Most westerners think she was a prostitute, although the Word never mentions she was. Claudia, a Christian sees, Mary as a prosperous woman because of what she spent on the perfume with which she annointed Jesus' feet. Our guide conjectured that Mary was a cosmetologist.
We were glad to have access to more authenticity when we went to a 21st century museum which housed a 2000 year old fishing boat excavated in 1986. There had been a severe drought that year and the waters of Galilee lowered, and there was the boast which had been protected by the seabed's sediments. The boat, when hit by air, became amazingly fragile, but 11 days later the boat was successfully lifted, conserved, and eventually placed in an atmosphere-controlled museum environment. Now, when people come to this government-owned center, the story of Jesus is told.
Just outside the museum there were sycamore trees, so perfect for sawed-off social disasters like Zaccheus and Ron Stone to climb! Isn't it something to learn that the Zaccheus story in Luke 19 encapsulates the message of the gospel: forgiveness of the past, transformation of the present and re-direction for the future made possible when we know Jesus!
Energetic Bea motivated 18 of the 26 of us to see an unplanned side-trip to Mt. Tabor, the site of Jesus' transfiguration. Jesus along with Peter, James and John also were quite energetic, even athletic, to climb 5 miles up a very steep trek. Several of us followed suit and hiked up half of the mountain. The rest, incuding me, took a cab to the top and imagined and prayed about the meaning of that mountain-top experience. It's so mystical! Do we carry his grace back down the mountain or do we remain and "build shrines" so that we can be above the needs of our brothers and sisters? Jesus had the right idea: go back down the mountian where life is complicated so that we can love God and our neighbor with all our our heart, soul, mind, and strength!
~~~Ron Stone
No comments:
Post a Comment