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Luke 9:51, Isaiah 50:7

Masada – A Suicide Pact

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 21, 2013

One of the more enjoyable stops in our Tour of Israel is the Masada. Those with the strength often elect to climb the mountain instead of taking the lift up to the top. The climb is not for everyone, but it’s one of the more 23 masadachallenging adventures on the tour. Masada was a rock fortress perched on top of a high mesa 1,300 feet above the shore of the Dead Sea. The primary access was up the eastern side along the winding “Snake path.” That path is still called that today and that’s the route we take to the top. In the picture at www.chucklarsen.com you see the climbers on their way up. The name comes from a Hebrew word that means “fortress.” David’s Psalms often celebrate God as “my fortress.” It’s believed that David used this high place as his refuge from his enemies.

Josephus records the suicide deaths of over 900 men, women and children. It is a revered spot in Israel and our tour guide compared the events that took place there to the events that took place at the Alamo. I’ve struggled severely with that comparison. The heroic nature of 900+ residents who took their lives rather than be conquered by the Roman Army is filled with emotional fervor. I have always wrestled with that comparison. There is a big difference between suicide and fighting to the death. The difference to me would be extremely offensive to an Israeli devotee. I would never say this to an Israeli zealot, but there is nothing heroic to me in escaping our enemy or our problems by suicide. When others attempted to divert Jesus from the cross, the text (see Luke 9:51) says “he set his face like a stone.” Many see that’s a quote from Isaiah 50:7 which verse is often interpreted from the perspective of the Messiah. It says, “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will.” Jesus prayed that the cross would not be his fate, but he surrendered to God’s will. True heroism is not to escape our problems, but to face them with courage.

Further the only written account of the siege at Masada comes from Josephus. There are mentions of several other suicide pacts in his work as well, one of which he was able to escape personally. The Lexham Bible Dictionary of 2012 records that no archeological remains had ever been found that fully substantiates the suicide pact. There were approximately two dozen human remains uncovered at various levels up the mountain, but “The remains of 28 individuals fall far short of the 960 rebels reported by Josephus. The lack of any mass burial at the site suggests that the majority of Jewish rebels were taken prisoner. If any suicide pact did occur, it may have involved a limited number of people.”

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1 Samuel 17:2-7, 1 Samuel 17:45-47

The Valley of Elah

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 19, 2013

David slew Goliath in the Valley of Elah. He faced a giant! If you study the description of this monster and compare him to David we see that he was indeed of incredible size and stature. He was enough to scare any of us away. The 19 david headStory is recorded for us in 1 Samuel 17:2-7: “Saul and the men of Israel were encamped in the Valley of Elah and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on a mountain on one side and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. And a champion went out of the camp of the Philistines named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span [almost ten feet]. And he had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of mail, and the coat weighed 5,000 shekels of bronze. He had bronze shin armor on his legs and a bronze javelin across his shoulders. And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; his spear’s head weighed 600 shekels of iron. And a shield bearer went before him.” He was a monster!

David was just a little guy (look at the picture at www.chucklarsen.com). My dad used to say that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that mattered. He knew well because his dad, my grandfather, raised fighting pit bull dogs. Instead he said, it’s the size of the fight in the dog that matters. I’d say it’s neither of those. What really matters is the size of the “faith” that determines the victor. Faith is not something you take to church with you on Sunday morning. Faith is something you have when your bills are due and you have no money. It’s the size of your faith that matters when a loved one dies, or when you’re persecuted at work. It’s the size of your faith that matters when you face an uncertain future with loved ones, occupations, homes, health and everything else. It was the size of David’s faith that made the difference. It made the difference when he faced lions. It made the difference when he faced bears. It was the size of David’s faith that made the difference when he faced Goliath as well.

David’s faith is seen clearly in his response to Goliath’s threats. He said, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand” (1 Samuel 17:45-47). Although I seem to have plenty of “Goliath” sized problems, it’s always great to face them with faith because there are no “big” problems with God. I need to be reminded that the battle is the Lord’s.

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1 Kings 8:41-43

The Western Wall

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 18, 2013

Our visit to the Western Wall of the Temple is always a highlight of our tour. It’s also called the “Wailing Wall.” The Western Wall is the most holy place accessible to the Jewish people because of Muslim control of the Temple 18 western wall prayersMount. It is known in recent centuries as the “Wailing Wall,” because of the custom of reading from the book of Lamentations and wailing over the destruction of the Temple. It was built by Herod the Great as the retaining wall of the Temple Mount complex. The plaza was created as an area for prayer when Israel captured the Old City in 1967. At times tens of thousands of people gather here for prayer. Three times a day the Jewish people pray (morning, afternoon, evening) and they do so with phylacteries tied around their forehead and wrist and with the white and blue prayer shawls.

1 Kings 8:41-43 is the dedicatory prayer that Solomon Prayed when he finished building the temple. The western wall is the “prayer” wall because it’s believed that Solomon’s temple was right here. The Wailing Wall has been revered by Jewish people for centuries as the only remaining wall of the ancient temple area in Jerusalem. Some argue that some of the original foundation is still intact in this wall or below it where a tunnel has been dug to give access to it. It’s called “The Rabbi’s Tunnel.” Tradition has it that when the temple itself was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, the Shekinah glory of God remained over these stones, and that to this day, the Wall is the next-best thing to the original temple edifice.

In his prayer of dedication, Solomon, prayed for all those who would come to pray at this temple wall. It reads, “In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.” In the picture (see www.chucklarsen.com) you will see little pieces of white paper stuck into the cracks in the wall and all over the ground. These are the prayers of the faithful from all over the world. They have to be cleaned out every year.

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Matthew 16:13-18

The Gates of Hell

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 17, 2013

Caesarea Philippi has a long and exalted history. It was the center of pagan religions and offered a pantheon of gods to appease the interests of any possible worshipper. It was so infiltrated with various pagan gods that the huge 17 gates of hellcave, or hole in the ground, near the pantheon became known as the “gates of hell.” From this gaping hole in the earth came the various demon-gods of various pagan religions. It’s no wonder that it was at this spot Jesus asked his disciples the most important question. Matthew 16:13-18 tells us about this conversation: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, but who do you say that I am? Simon Peter replied, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Many argue that Jesus was calling Peter, whose name means stone or rock, the foundation stone upon which He would build His church. Others argue that the “rock” Jesus was referring to is Peter’s profession of faith, and it was with each profession that followed that another stone was laid as a living stone in Christ’s church. But if Jesus is identifying “This” stone as the foundational cornerstone, I’d argue that a finger pointing back to himself along with the demonstrative adjective “this” was referring to Himself as the promised Messiah.

Peter’s profession was that Jesus was the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. The Messiah was frequently identified as a building or corner stone. Isaiah 28:16 says, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” Even Peter, himself, in 1 Peter 2:4-5, gives us further New Testament evidence. He says, “As you come to him (Jesus) , a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house.” Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” The only solid foundation sufficient to withstand the onslaught from the idols arising from the gates of Hell is Jesus.

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Mark 5:3-5, Matthew 8:31-32

Amazing Grace at Kursi

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 14, 2013

We read about Jesus casting out a mess of demons and sending them into swine in Matthew 8:31-32. It says, “And the demons begged him, saying, ‘If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go.’ 14 kursi excavationsSo they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.” The location of this event is a site known by the name of Kursi in Jewish sources.

According to the BAR (Biblical Archeological Review) Excavators at Kursi, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, believe the site may have been the earliest pilgrimage destination for Christians visiting the Holy Land. They have also recently found evidence that Christian pilgrims were slaughtered there in 614 A.D. by the invading Persian army. Inside a bathhouse were three dozen women’s rings and other pieces of jewelry. Explaining this items, an excavator said, “The bathhouse was built for Western pilgrims and the jewelry belonged to them. This is the beginning of a center for Western Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We believe it may have been the largest center other than the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.” I expect it popularity has to do with Jesus’ miracle.

Mark 5:3-5 tells us more detail about this Demoniac. Edwards says that this “is one of the most lamentable stories of human wretchedness in the Bible. He is a terror to himself and others, and his violence is hammered home in three resounding negatives in the Greek: ‘not even by chains could anyone any longer restrain him’ (v. 3). Even in life he is consigned to the land of the dead. There, wailing among the tombs, he wreaks havoc on himself day and night. Mark’s vocabulary is raw and brutal; even ‘bindings,’ ‘chains,’ and ‘irons’ are unsuccessful” in subduing the man. I can’t help but think of the words of John Newton’s song, Amazing Grace; “how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” It’s also reminiscent of Charles Wesley’s famous hymn, “And can it be.” He writes, “Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”

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John 6:54-57, John 21:15-17

A Fishery at Tabgha

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 13, 2013

Jesus identified himself as the bread of heaven. In a very controversial passage, that often led opponents of Christianity to accuse believers of cannibalism, Jesus said, “…Whoever feeds on my flesh 13 fishand drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me” (John 6:54-57).

John 21:6-10 records the events in which Jesus feeds the apostles a fish breakfast. The fisherman hadn’t caught anything all night, but when Jesus instructs them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, they haul in a net load of fish. When they reach the shore Peter brings some of the fish to Jesus, and they enjoy the meal together. Jesus feeds the apostles. He then challenges Peter to feed His sheep (John 21:15-17). A very early church tradition places this Post-resurrection appearance of our Lord at Tabgha. Tabgha comes from a word that means “seven springs.” It is the winter fishing ground for fishermen from Capernaum. During the winter months its seven warm springs attract a specific kind of fish (musht or Tilapia), commonly called “St. Peter’s fish.”

We will visit the church at Tabgha and enjoy a fish lunch together at “Peter’s fishery.” A fish is the oldest Christian symbol. The Greek word for fish, ichthus, is an acrostic for the Greek words that translate to —Jesus Christ Son of God Savior. The fish symbol is pervasive in Christian art and literature from its earliest days. The symbol is seen on mosaics in Christian churches, on frescoes, on a wall painting in the catacombs of Rome, on glasses, cups, sarcophagi, monuments in all parts of the Roman world. It’s still used today and it is not unusual to find it on automobiles as decals or bumper stickers. The Fish that Jesus fed to his disciples is symbolic of Himself. His call to His disciples to feed others is a call to offer the world the “bread of life” – Jesus! Taste, and see if it isn’t good!

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Acts 10:1-15

Good News at Caesarea

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
May 30, 2013

On our last tour in 2011, in route to our hotel in Caesarea we had a brief stop at the aqueduct that Herod built where we waded in the Mediterranean Sea. How Refreshing. I’m hoping we get to do the same thing this year. This 28 aquaductsCaesarea needs to be distinguished from several others so it’s also been known as Caesarea-on-the-Sea (Maritima), Caesarea Sebaste, Caesarea of Palestine, and Caesarea of Judea. There is a well preserved amphitheater here that could very well have been the place where Paul presented a defense of himself and his preaching to Felix, Festus and even Herod himself.

Herod’s kingdom lacked a deep water port that could accommodate the larger Roman cargo vessels so he had engineers expand an ancient Phoenician port into a large harbor facility. This was an unprecedented effort. As a modern trading port it turned Caesarea into a major commerce center, but also a center for a plethora of vile religious expressions. In one of the warehouses, excavators discovered a Mithraeum—a place imitating a cave where the god Mithras was worshiped in secret ceremonies—complete with an altar and a medallion depicting Mithras slaying a bull. A temple to Roma and Augustus stood high on a raised platform east of the harbor. Although there was a Jewish community here, it was thoroughly a Hellenistic- Roman city with a large garrison of Roman soldiers.

One of the more interesting biblical accounts related to this site is found in Acts 10:1-15. It begins, “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort.” The story proceeds to tell us that God sent an Angel to him to send for a man staying with Simon the Tanner in Joppa. Cornelius sends two soldiers to get Peter. In the meantime, God is preparing Peter for the arrival of these filthy pagans. On a rooftop in Joppa, Peter became hungry and in a dream, a sheet descends filled with vile, disgusting creatures forbidden by the law to consume. Only the vile, disgusting pagans would eat such things. God tells Peter to eat! But, no, Peter won’t defile himself. But after three times, God commands Peter not to call “unclean” that which He has declared “clean” (Acts 10:15). Peter realizes that the dream is not referring to the vile creatures forbidden as food by the law, but is referring to those who eat them, i.e., the pagans. Peter goes to Cornelius’ house and preaches the gospel. Peter may have planted a Church here. I’m guessing, but the early Church Fathers, Origen and Eusebius, were profoundly influenced by Peter’s teachings. They taught and wrote from their residence in Caesarea. No pagan, not even those soaked in Mithraism or any other vile practice is beyond the reach of Jesus. That’s the good news for you and me!

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Matthew 5:18

Israel or Bust!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
May 29, 2013

37 of us will leave for Israel on June 12th. Our route will take us from Omaha to Charlotte to Philadelphia to Tel Aviv. When we land at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we’ll make our way up the Highway by the Sea (The Via Maris) 24 orthodox jewsto the Dan Caesarea Hotel for the night. We’ll pass by Bene Berak, one of the more interesting suburbs of Tel Aviv. It’s the only large city (150,000) whose inhabitants are mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews. It’s a small area with a large population and is one of the poorest cities. Its birthrate is one of the highest in the Country as well. Its name is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Joshua 19:45, as being one of the cities given by Joshua to the tribe of Dan. Thus, it’s a very ancient site. Since the establishment of Israel as a state, many of the “Grand Rabbis” moved their courts to Bene Barak. The city’s religious character gives it a special charm. It has no modish fashion shops, yuppie coffee houses, or posh restaurants, but it has an extraordinary simplicity, modesty and uniqueness. It sounds like an exceptionally large Amish community.

In Bene Berak there are many Yeshivas, Institutes for learning Sacred Jewish Texts. There are a number of “schools of interpretation” in the community, one of which is the school associated with Rabbi Akiba who lived between 50 and 150 AD. He’s been a towering figure in the history of Jewish interpretation. Christian Scholars attribute an entire hermeneutical system to him. We owe a great debt to him with respect to the preservation of the Old Testament. After the destruction of the temple in AD 70, Jews focused more than ever on the study of Scripture. A school arose that focused on the smallest details of the Hebrew manuscripts, and enforced a strict adherence by the scribes to the approved texts. It was Akiba who became the principal spokesman of this concern for textual minutiae. For him the sanctity of Scripture meant that each letter, syllable, and word of the Torah was important. Even the tittle was the inspiration for a multiplicity of interpretative rules. The “Tittle” is not a letter, but a part of a letter that often is the only thing that distinguishes it from another letter.

Many more modern scholars suggest that Akiba is responsible for establishing one standard text from which all other Hebrew texts were copied. I’m not certain the evidence supports all that, but it’s undeniable that the focus on the details of Old Testament Texts that he maintained greatly contributed to the standardization and stabilization of the Old Testament that we hold in our hands today. Jesus, Himself, said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18).

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