Israel, Rosemary, and Faith

Having just returned from Israel, my mind is a blur.  Some of it is fatigue, other due to travel and changing time zones, and jumbled reflections on my experience in the Holy Land.  Before I departed the plane on Australian soil this morning, I remembered a sprig of rosemary needed to be removed that I had placed in my Bible.  How I received that rosemary is a story all its own.

I have been down to the Western Wall on a couple occasions, but I had never ventured into the underground area heading north where men pray.  This area can be seen clearly from above by anyone who takes the Rabbinical Tunnel tour.  I didn't know if I was permitted in that area, but after I was assured it was alright I went in.  As soon as I entered, an Orthodox Jew (based upon his attire) greeted me and shook my hand - something I did not expect.  I do not know how strict the rules are concerning a Jew touching a Gentile these days, but his warm welcome was appreciated.

He asked me where I was from in a very friendly manner.  Then he began to show me around, pointing out various books in the bookshelves and spoke about the first and second temples which were destroyed.  He spoke of how he was looking expectantly for a third Temple to be built.   "That temple will endure forever," he said.  Then he told me I could write a prayer and place it in the cracks of the Western Wall, as many Jews believe it is a "red phone" or a direct line to an audience by God.

When he produced a pad and a pen, at that moment I began to be a bit suspicious this was going to end with being asked for money - but I went along anyway.  After my prayer was written and the pad and pen returned to their place within his coat, he opened a book which contained shekel bills of various denominations.  There is not supposed to be any "begging" in the controlled Western Wall area, but this man had worked out a way!  I'm not even sure what I donated towards, but it was done unto the LORD.  He suddenly whipped out a handful of rosemary, placed it upon my forehead, prayed a short prayer of blessing for my family, and then placed it in my hand.  His good deed done, he walked off and I never saw him again.

I asked our Israeli guide of the significance of rosemary, but he had never heard of it used in like manner before.  In Israel there is no shortage of sites and traditions which hold sway over people which are without power in themselves.  Rosemary has not miraculous healing properties, nor are prayers more likely answered when they are stuffed between stones.  I am amazed to the great lengths men will go to keep the Law according to the tradition of the sages, yet miss the spirit of the law entirely.  Jesus said men thought through study of the scriptures they would have eternal life, but all the scriptures pointed to Jesus whom they rejected.  The Jews are looking for rebuilding of the temple, but they are not looking for the Messiah who will reign as King and High Priest in the temple He builds.

On the train today I had a pleasant conversation with a woman who echoed sentiment I commonly hear along these lines:  "As long as faith in something helps you, it is a good thing to have.  A lot of people don't have faith in anything anymore."  I would answer:  everyone has faith in someone or something.  It is the focus of your faith that makes all the difference.  Many people today who had already made future plans died unexpectedly.  Jesus said of people of "faith" in John 16:2, "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service."  Paul was a Pharisee who did this.  He persecuted Christians, believing God was pleased with his efforts and sacrifice.  But he was wrong.  People can place their faith in the wrong things because they are deceived.  Some people choose to be suicide bombers, believing it is a sure path to paradise, but wake up in a fiery hell.  It is only the Word of God applied by the Holy Spirit which enables us to discern lies and sort the humanistic chaff of this world from the meat of divine truth.

You can trust in rosemary to heal your body, bless your family, and forgive your sins, but those are mere fantasies without any factual basis.  This misguided faith is a waste.  Everyone trusts something, but only faith placed on Jesus Christ and the Word of God is proven, steadfast, and sure.  Man's interpretations and beliefs may change, yet the Word of God will endure forever.  Many "trustworthy" things like parachutes, airplanes, and trains have failed to carry their passengers safely to their destination, but God's love nor His Word ever fails.  God has not failed before, and He is absolutely trustworthy for the future.  Don't allow man's failures to keep you from trusting Jesus or deceive you to think all faith is as good as the next.  Faith according to correct knowledge is key!   

The Move of the Divine Presence

A sign quoting sages near the Western Wall says, "The Divine Presence never moves from the Western Wall."  For this reason many devout Jews and people come from all over the world to pray in the hope of the third temple to be built on the mount.  In the minds of many to draw near to this holy place is to draw near to God Himself.

God is at the Western Wall, yet He is not limited in any way by geography.  Paul claimed God does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor does His glorious power rest in one earthly location.  However when the third temple IS built - which will one day happen according to scripture - it would not surprise me at all if hopes of God sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices remain unfulfilled.  The anti-christ will later come with his false fire, and the eyes of many devout worshipers will be opened to the scriptures and the sure promise of salvation through Jesus for all who repent and trust in Him as Messiah.  There will also be a fourth temple built by none other than Jesus Christ, for it is written of Him as both King and Priest in in Zechariah 6:13, "Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."

Paul wrote to erring Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20:  "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."  Peter said believers are "lively stones" which are laid in order by God upon the foundation of Jesus Christ to comprise the church.  The Holy Spirit - God Himself - dwells within the hearts of all those who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus said He would never leave or forsake His people, and His Word is true.

I am amazed and awed by the great efforts made by men to draw near to a Holy God and to find favour in His sight.  It is God who has come to us, revealed in the Jewish man Jesus who was born in Bethlehem of a virgin, was raised in Nazareth, and went about doing good.  Wise men still seek Him, and Jesus has become for all who receive Him wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  Praise the LORD for coming to us and revealing Himself as the Messiah through His life, teachings, willing death, and resurrection in glory.  I am reminded of a song which will remain true for Christians for eternity:  "He is here, He is here.  He is moving among us."  Move us and move among us for your glory LORD God!

Send Jesus Away?

We finished today's tour of the Galilee region by going to the shore of the sea of Galilee opposite Tiberias, to a possible place where Jesus delivered the demon possessed men of Gadara.  He had just miraculously calmed a storm which raged upon Galilee, and He would demonstrate His mastery of demons which raged within the bodies of men.  These men were exceedingly fierce and were so terrifying no one dared pass that way.  These men lived among the tombs and one Gospel account said chains could not restrain the ferocity and violence of the man possessed by many demons.

Matthew 8:29-30 reads, "And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" ³⁰ Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding."  These men lived like beasts, but the spirits who controlled them recognised afar off Jesus Christ and acknowledged His authority.  They turned out to be more initially perceptive than the Jews who lived in the region.  Gadara was so called because it was inhabited by the tribe of Gad and were therefore Jewish people.  Pigs were deemed unclean under the Law of Moses, so this stands out as odd.  What was with the pigs?  Perhaps they were for trading with people who would eat them.

The story continues in Matthew 8:31-34:  "So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." ³² And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. ³³ Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region."  The demons requested a hasty exit into unclean animals, and Jesus permitted them.  The crazed animals tore off running and plunged over a cliff into the sea.  Those responsible to tend the pigs ran into the town to tell others what had happened.  The men once demon possessed were in their right mind, but the people of the town did the unthinkable:  they begged Jesus to leave, even as the demons begged to leave.  They cast out Jesus for doing good.

Why would the people of Gadara beg Jesus to leave?  There are many likely answers.  Jesus was a man too powerful for them to control.  He was seen as responsible for the total destruction of a once thriving business.  They did not understand Him.  They did not trust Him.  And I am convinced that at this point they did not know Him or recognise Him as the Messiah, the promised Deliverer the Father would send.  These are similar reasons to why people reject Jesus as Messiah today.  Almost 2,000 years have passed, and men have not changed.  Thankfully, God hasn't changed either!  He is still a loving, powerful, gracious God who seeks and saves the lost, delivering people from bondage, releasing people from the oppression of Satan and sin, and sets the captives free.

Don't treat Jesus like a devil.  He comes to us as LORD and Saviour and those are blessed who humbly receive Him.  John 1:11-13 reads, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

The Holy Word

Visiting Israel is something the more I do the more I want to do.  I am not particularly fond of the travel time from Australia, but there is nothing in the world like the Holy Land.  Each time has been a unique experience, and thanks to the vast improvement in internet connections I am able to post pictures to Facebook and even blog when time permits.

This morning our group went across the Sea of Galilee on a boat, saw the "Jesus Boat" museum, visited the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum - all before an amazing lunch.  Granted, we did eat a bit late today, but it was a remarkable experience as we reflected on the truths of God's Word.  The life of a Christian is not one living in the past, preoccupied with ancient history, or based on yesterday's choices, but one of every day looking to our risen LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Jesus has spoken, and for the wise men who still seek Him He has much to say.

One thing which struck me today was something I did not expect:  the signs in the windows of the chapel built over the house of Peter in Capernaum.  On the sign was a photo of a hooded child with an extended finger laid across the lips.  The caption, which looked like it had been written at different times, read "Holy place!  Keep silence please!  No explaining inside. Only for the Holy Mass or prayer."  I can understand it is not conducive to worship when people on a tour are talking loudly over each other.  But it is interesting that a holy place should be a silent place.  There are people who have made vows of silence over the years as a discipline, and self-denial is often viewed as pious or spiritual.

I am grateful God is a holy God and He has chosen to speak.  He did not remain silent but revealed Himself to the world through the scripture, the Law and the prophets, the testimony of nature, Jesus Christ coming to earth to die and rise again, and through the Holy Spirit.  When His disciples asked Jesus questions, Jesus was glad to answer.  His aim was to reveal God's wisdom and love to men, not conceal it.  Jesus said in John 16:12-14, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

Israel's history is an amazing tapestry of God revealing Himself powerfully and miraculously to people through the ages to this day.  Praise the LORD for the revelation of divine love and that He cares for all people by His grace!  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and we have beheld His glory, the only begotten of the Father.  God speaks to be known, heard, feared, understood, obeyed, praised, and glorified!