Side Note: Jesus' birth most likely took place during the month of July, possibly August (There is a pretty long explanation of why this is that I won't go into right here, you can ask Bethany and I about it when we get back, and we will share with you our new knowledge and experience. Below, is a picture of a town that is similar in size to what Bethlehem would have been at the time of Jesus' Birth.
We went up onto a Mountain (The Herodian) that King Herod had made for one of his 7 mansions, and were able to see all the way to the Dead Sea, and look down on Bethlehem and Jerusalem from the top. He placed his Palace on top, and the entire complex included a huge pool, along with a theatre built into the side of the mountain. All of these were extravagant, grand, bigger and better than what anyone else had built, because that was who Herod was. (See pics below for Pool, Theatre, and Palace area in order. Imagine them whole, with frescoed walls, gold inlaid and beautiful paintings all over them.)
After climbing up the one, small path that leads up to Herod's palace, we took a trip into the town of Bethlehem and visited a small cave that was likely very similar to the stable where Mary gave birth to Jesus. (see pic below)
Notice the contrast between these two locations, and between these two kings. One, was paranoid that people were out to get him, and built these extravagant palaces and complexes to show everyone how great he was, and how he overcame anything in his way. The other, was humble, loving, born in a cave that probably smelled like a combination of old campfires and manure, then placed in a manger that was used to hold water to feed sheep.
Who are we serving? Who is our King? These are the questions we were challenged with today as we explored these places that represent these two Kings.
wow, thanks katy and bethany, I love seeing the updates everytime you post...what an amazing trip you are on, take it all in :)
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