June 18–Amazing Love

It Tuesday and I’m in Branson with my grandkids and Georgia and we’re having a big time. Yesterday, we were out on the lake in paddle boats and watching folks fishing. They weren’t fishing with nets like the disciples did, though. They had fancy boats and new equipment, but even with all that, I didn’t see anyone catch 153 large ones, either! 


At Magdala, the city on the lake, where Mary Magnalene was from, people fished and salted their catch. In fact, it’s name means fish tower or place of salted fish. There was plenty to eat in this fertile area with the fish and all sorts of fruits and vegetables that grew in this fertile area. It was the main headquarters of Josephus, the historían. People were doing well here before the revolt. 


The menorah, the symbol of the Jewish people was evidenced only in Rome until the excavation of Magnala. In 70 AD, the Romans looted the temples and took everything back to Rome. On the Arch of Titus, the spoils of Jerusalem are pictured and that is where the picture of the menorah is found. But when Magnala was uncovered (beginning in 2009), an image of the menorah was found on the temple remains. 


Also at this site, they uncovered mosaic tile that was part of the temple floor—the temple floor that Jesús walked since he taught there. He taught that the Kingdom was here—He was the Kingdom—and He taught about the fulfilling of prophecy. And as I looked at the temple remains and the floor, the actual place where my Lord walked, I thought about the fulfillment of prophesy—more than 300. I thought about how God told Abraham that “all nations” would be blessed through him. We, as Gentile Christians, were prophesied about way back there in Genesis 22! And then, affirmed in Galatians.  


“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:17-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬


“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”” Galatians‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬


The Bible was written by inspired humans, but it WAS inspired. It is the very word of God and of that, we can put all our faith and hope. I don’t know about you, but the hair on my arms raise up when I consider that God was talking about me to Abraham and then again to Paul. Is He an amazing, God with a crazy love for us, or what? 


Amazing love, how can it be? That you, my King would die for me..Amazing love, I know its true and its my joy to honor you...


Lord God we thank you for your prophesy fulfilled that we can rest assured that your word IS in fact your words. We praise you for the amazing love you pour out so freely on us that provides mercy and grace unlike anything we could ever fully understand. You are a great God and we have the honor to fall before you and worship, and to bring our needs and lay them at your feet. You love and care so for us that it often leaves me speechless before you, but praise your Name, you know my heart so well. Thank you for taking care of our friends and loved ones who have faced horrible disease and sickness. You are God and you suffer right along with us. Amazing. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend,

Pam

Pictures of Magnala are on Facebook.

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