Caesarea Philippi

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:13-19

 

Peacocks

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? 

Job 39:13

Photos taken at Tisch Family Zoological Park, Jerusalem

Christmas Jordanian-Style

In Jordan, some Christian families celebrate Christmas with Christmas trees in their salon (living room). Instead of presents under the tree, though, you can see elaborately formed "caves." To them, of course, this represents where Jesus was born, rather than a stable. 

(By the way, Biblical scholars do not agree on the meaning of the Greek word for "inn" - kataluma. Some say it means a guest room, others say it means a public inn.)

Little plates of sprouts will be placed here and there under the tree. As one man told us in broken English, they represent "new life." The seeds are planted a couple of weeks before Christmas and watered every day.  

Adults do not usually exchange gifts but gifts can be given to children and guests can bring a gift for the entire family, such as a box of special candy. 

Around the world, different cultures celebrate Christmas with varying traditions. Although not all traditions have direct biblical links, they are expressions of people's desire to remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Conies

The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

Psalm 104:18

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 

Proverbs 30:26 

Can you find the two conies in this photo?

Photo taken at Korazin, Galilee Region

The Sea of Galilee

Jordan River

When I was a kid, I pictured the Jordan River as majestic, wide, and intimidating. None of those adjectives now apply to this famous river. It is muddy and dirty, so narrow that those of us used to mighty rivers such as the Mississippi and the Missouri would classify it as just a step above a creek. 

The Jordan River separates Israel from Jordan. These two water-poor countries share the Jordan River. Irrigation depletes much of the water and industrial waste pollutes it.

We have crossed the river several times, always in a bus. I must say that, although the river is far from the most beautiful in the world, I always get thrilled when I see it.

Somewhere along this river, Joshua and the children of Israel walked through its dry riverbed (Joshua 3). Elijah parted the river with his mantle (II Kings 2:8). Namaan the Syrian was healed of his leprosy when he obeyed the prophet Elisha and dipped in the water seven times (II Kings 5:14). John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan (John 3:13).

Honestly, it does no matter to me that the Jordan River is not majestic and beautiful. It is enough that this is the river that provided the backdrop for some of the Bible's greatest accounts of God's miraculous power working in the lives of mankind. 

Jordan River as seen from the Sheikh Hussein Bridge

The Dead Sea

Bill finally decided to check out the salty Dead Sea. It is amazing how it makes your skin feel, not really slimy, and not sticky either; it is hard to describe. I must admit that I like the Dead Sea. It is kind of fun to play in the mud, although it is rather messy!