Visiting Capernaum was the turning point in my perspective of my visit to Israel. Up until then I was skeptical of the experience. I heard many positive things about the trip from those who went before, but from my experience when someone highly rates something I usually find it does not hit the mark, and therefore takes away. As a result, I usually set my expectations low so that I can somewhat enjoy the experience for what it is. My expectations for this trip were not only met but exceeded. Not in the way of goosebumps and watershed moments, but in a slow unfurling of my understanding of scripture and the sovereignty of God in human events.
For me Capernaum was where the sacred became grounded in reality. The events of the gospel no longer took place in a far away land but right where I stood. I now could more accurately connect the dots and add a level of depth to my understanding and appreciation of scripture. This region was the place where Jesus grew, loved and called home. This was where the prophecies of Scripture were fulfilled and the salvation of God completed for the sake of the world.
One of the last places we went to was the Mount of Olives. We stood high on the mountain ridge looking down on East Jerusalem. It’s almost an ironic sight to behold. If you look at the picture above, that would have been the view. All three major monotheistic religions have one of their holiest places within those walls. The golden dome representing Islam where Muhammad was said to have ascended to Heaven. The smaller black dome to the left is where Jesus was said to be crucified and buried and the white dome to the far left is where many Orthodox Jews go to worship within the walls of their most sacred city.
The golden dome or the Dome of the Rock is located on the Temple Mount. This is historically a sacred place for Jews because this is where the first and second Temple were built. A question was asked as to why wasn’t the Temple Mt. reoccupied by the Israeli army during the famous six day war in 1967? I remember the answer coming down to not wanting to start World War III. This has now been considered a sacred site for Muslims for over thirteen hundred years. I pondered that question a bit, especially with the image from the Mt. of Olives emblazoned in my minds eye. It suddenly dawned on me. This view, this religious and political predicament is as it should be. This is the result of man made problems and it is through the backdrop of our foolishness that God’s saving hand is magnified.
Jesus may have walked in Israel, but He was for the whole world. Blessed are the Jewish people for they were the ones chosen to develop and represent God’s way, but Jesus, the perfect one ultimately blesses all who come. As I gazed out over Jerusalem the last chapters of Revelation were brought to memory. In these chapters Heaven and Earth are once again one. Earth is renewed and there is no more pain, suffering or people bent on doing evil. God’s justice has prevailed and righteousness is the rule of the day. Then a new Jerusalem descends from the heavens above. Perfect in every way, it is placed on the earth and there is no temple! This is a time for rejoicing because God now dwells with His people. All of Creation is God’s dwelling place so there is no need to limit Him to a physical temple. Emmanuel, God with us.
This trip was a wonderful mile marker for me in my journey of faith. It brought greater perspective to this finite and imperfect reality we exist in now. This trip was a reminder that we only live in the shadow of the glory that is to come...
“The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God - the Sovereign Strong _ and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s glory is the light. The Lamb it’s lamp! The nations will walk in its light. And Earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and the honor of the nations into the city.” Revelation 21:21-26
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