Model of the White Synagogue in Capernaum built upon the Temple Jesus preached in. Some of the other ruins are Peter's house, the house that became the first Christian Church. A modern Franciscan church has been built over the earlier remains.
Contrary to some modern opinion of Peter, his family was the wealthiest in Capernaum - owning a fleet of fishing ships. Peter would be raised to be very literate. Peter's house was quite large, the largest in Capernaum, filled with beautiful things. Including more expensive plaster walls remaining today.
The Model in the photo is from Mini Israel in Latrun, Israel. The photo is just a touch dorky. Exhibited in it are hundreds of exact models, at a scale of 1:25, of the most important architectural, historic, archeological, religious and social sites as well as buildings of importance to all religions and cultures inhabiting the country.
John 16:1-15
1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
God told me there would be days like this. Who would be encouraged by this? Not the disciples. Jesus wanted to tell them things of heaven, but they "could not bear them now." The things of earth frightened them too much. Jesus, like Moses, came down from the mountain having seen God in the transfiguration. Like Moses, Jesus was met with disciples not doing the work. Men who could not heal with Jesus' name. Unlike the giver of the law, Moses, Jesus shows them more love and more prayer is needed. Jesus was a man of faith in dealing with the disciples. These men squabbled for position, pushed children away because Jesus was too busy and grumbled when Jesus was given expensive perfume for his hair.
These 11 men hiding behind a locked door, fearing the authorities.... were not going to lead people to the saving love of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 6:18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
Then the unthinkable happened. Acts 2. Hurricane wind, fire in the air. The disciples had seen huge wind before. It left them wondering why Jesus could command the wind, the evening of the huge storm on the Sea of Galilee. Fire - they had heard about it & asked Jesus once to send fire and burn up their detractors like Elijah had done. Was Jesus tempted to send fire to the disciples instead? He was fully human. I wonder if He smiled before replying. Fortunate disciples for the mercy of Jesus.
This time the fire was different.
John 1:9
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
Today we are surprised to learn that the disciples and multitudes of people used the 2nd Temple as their base of operations in Acts 5. Human beings would typically feel empowered by this and start planning to move their belongings in. Where to put the office - the Porch of Solomon or the Court of Gentiles? The disciples were not surprised the persecution was coming.
God told us there would be days like this.
Hebrews 11:33-40
who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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