Earthly Things and Spiritual Things

“To make bread or love, to dig in the earth, to feed an animal or cook for a stranger—these activities require no extensive commentary, no lucid theology. All they require is someone willing to bend, reach, chop, stir. Most of these tasks are so full of pleasure that there is no need to complicate things by calling them holy. And yet these are the same activities that change lives, sometimes all at once and sometimes more slowly, the way dripping water changes stone. In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life.” 
Barbara Brown Taylor (Altar on the World)

Olive harvest on the Mount of Olives

Dates are also in season

Fresh squeezed pomegranate juice is delightful

Our study has taken us out of the classroom and in to the fields for lecture, Bible readings, mapping, observation and exploration the last 3 days.  Boarding the bus at 7 a.m. each morning and returning at 6 p.m. each night, we have traveled the areas around Jerusalem to see the land as it was experienced through the ages.   While I believe this kind of trip can be transformative,  it has already been transforming my legs and feet!  We have crossed paths with some tourist destinations but spend most of our time off the path, exploring numerous archeological sites.

Remains at Jericho where city was built upon city

Significant discoveries and progress has been made in the last 40 years of unearthing historical links to the stories of the Bible.  I have learned that some things about human beings have always been the same, such as seeking the path of least resistance, wanting to be the one on top, or needing to stay healthy.  And that what we are hearing about this area in the news is nothing new.  This part of the world has been caught in conflict for many different reasons since before the time of the Old Testament.

The quote from Barbara Brown Taylor reminds me that all God needs from us is to “ bend, reach, chop, stir.”  Having something to eat and clean water to drink- taking care of family, animals, and the community - keeping safe from enemies - these are the basics for life.  They are also the essential ingredients for much of the Bible.  It is what people were doing.  It is what Jesus used as examples for his teaching.  In our contemporary individualistic, independent lifestyles, we can forget about being dependent on God for everything and miss that everyday practices can also be faithful practices whether they happened today or 2,000 years ago.  The images of Jesus’ earthly examples have come alive for me but they also remind me that it is always in the everyday things of life that we are learning more about God, ourselves and relationships.  Just prior to John 3:16, Jesus says to Nicodemus, “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12)   Regardless of location or time, earthly things and spiritual things are merged in our faithful living of the gospel.   

Palace and fortress built by King Herod about 20 B.C.

View from the Herodian