Caesarea Philippi the city built by Herod to brown nose his employers and to make a home away from home for Romans. The most worldly part of Judea.
Mark 8:27-33
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Scala Sancta photo. Was taken from the easily found ruins of the Praetorium of Pontius Pilate. The 28 steps which Jesus Christ stepped upon His way to trial. Caesarea became the civilian and military capital of the Judaean Province - the official residence of the Roman procurators and governors, Pontius Pilate, praefectus and Antonius Felix. Josephus describes the harbor as being as large as the one at Piraeus, the major harbor of Athens. Remains of the principal buildings erected by Herod and the medieval town are still visible today.
In 1961 the archaeological world was taken back to the first century Roman province of Judea. A group of archaeologists, led by Dr. Antonio Frova were excavating an ancient Roman theater near Caesarea.
Pontius Pilate, with all the Power given by the Empire of Rome - knew of Kings. And his wife told Pilate not to have anything to do with, "That good man. I have dreamed of Him." Pilate knew to honor his wife. Pilate did not prevail - God's plans did.
The Lord God Almighty is King of Kings.
His Ways are not our ways.
Jesus speaking of His life in Capernaum - surrounded with men with jobs, homes, wives and families. Jesus said He had no where to put His head. Jesus knew what it was to be homeless. And without adequate means of support.
Think about what God did for His Son to come to this World.
Jesus was born. In a family not celebrating a marriage. His Mother was thought to be loose. And the Scriptures do not ever record the mother of Mary. After this Mary fled her hometown for three months, and was comforted by a cousin who really understood. Mary was placed, heavily pregnant, to travel 80 miles of that hard surface - to be taken to Bethlehem - where both families were from. Mary's family - according to Historical Sanhedrin Council documents is the ancestry in The Gospel of Luke - was Hometown - Bethlehem.
And they were given - the barn.
Later, the magi arrive and the male children of Bethlehem are killed. Evidently, they stayed for some time living where the barn was their option. As they leave, or after, male babies are killed by Herod.
There are so many stories of Jesus - the world would not contain them. John writes.
The next time someone tells you, "This is not the way God operates today." Tell them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
God does all things - all things are possible with God.
He establishes life. Hezekiah found the Assyrian Empire wanted to work with him. Because the plans of God are very elaborate. God was establishing a way with the Assyrians. Jonah, by the call of God, went to Nineveh and the huge and vast city - Believed God. God was working His plan well before the birth of Hezekiah.
Isaiah reported Jesus as Messiah 700 years before Jesus arrived in Bethlehem. Isaiah was first to call Father God a Redeemer of Israel. Savior. Isaiah reported a Covenant to the People of God.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Why would God ever allow suffering? Like His Son. Himself. God knows about difficult.
2 Timothy 4:5
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison
God does things His own way.
That is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Father God,
Help us to know in our daily lives and for those we love - to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. Forgive me my sins. I need You Lord Jesus Christ.
Help us to be filled up to all the fullness of You, Father God. Your attributes are vast beyond compare. Let us remember what draws us to You in Joy! God You are Living Water - going far beyond what we expect in all aspects of water. Fill us with You, Jesus.
Thank You Jesus Christ our Savior, able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. What a God of expectation, Father God - You are goodness!
Because God in His Great Love and Mercy dwells within those believing Him this is true according to the power that works within us.
To our Father Lord God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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