Sixteen Sojourning Servants

We are sixteen sojourning servants worshipping our way through the Galilee and Samaria.

This morning began with an awesome worship service in Nazareth at a site that overlooked the Jezreel Valley. This high place is known to be where Jesus own neighbors; family, (friends?) took him to throw him off the cliff. We can see so much from here, Mount Carmel, the heights of Manasseh, Mount Gilboah, the Spring of Gideon, the Gilead Mountains, the village of Deborah... yet those closest to Jesus could not see who He was. As we sat on this hillside, Pastor talked about Jesus childhood and the trouble he must have had growing up here in Nazareth, and right on queue, almost as if it was planned, four small children came running down a path, chasing each other through our group shouting Shalom. This experience reminds us that we will have trouble, we will always be pursued by what seems to be an unlikely enemy at times, yet we are told to forgive as Jesus forgives us. We are reminded, because at times, keeping our focus on the what matters is so hard to do.


This truth is apparent in the next Tel we went to, Megiddo. 25 different civilization have lived here and have been destroyed. People lived here who lost focus and worshiped other gods. There is an alter here where Baal worship and child sacrifices took place. Megiddo is where the final battle of life will be fought, and the blood will rise as high as the horses bridle and doom will come to those who worship the beast. (Rev 14)


We then went on to Mount Carmel. In 1 Kings 18 we read the story about Elijah calling on the power of the Lord. Elijah stood on the promises of God even when he stood opposed by 450 men. He challenged the enemy to see who's god was sovereign. Elijah worshiped here, and God was faithful to show His power.


We continued east to the Mediterranean Sea to the old city of Caesarea. An impressive place that was one of the most important cities in the Roman world. The city was complete with a theater, amphitheater, hippodrome, palace, and aqueducts.  Paul worshiped here as he reveals his willingness to die to proclaim the good news of Jesus.


We finished our day in worship at the Jordan River where 9 of our group were baptized and rededicated their lives to Christ!


We've had a great stay in Tiberias. We check out tomorrow morning and head for Jerusalem!