THE SOUTHERN STEPS OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

 Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner teaching on the Southern Steps 

of the Temple in Jerusalem

During our 2018 Holy Land Pilgrimage Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner taught extensively from the Southern Steps of the Temple in Jerusalem. So, what happened at the Southern Steps?  We know for sure that is where Jesus walked and taught. When Neil Armstrong visited Israel in 1994, he asked his host if there was a place where Jesus would have walked—without a doubt—2,000 years ago. His host, Archaeologist Meir Ben Dov and the excavator of the Temple Mount and southern walls in Jerusalem, answered that the Southern Steps were, for sure, the steps that Jesus would have used when He walked up to the Temple. Mr. Armstrong bent down and kissed the ground, saying that this was an even more exciting moment for him than walking on the moon.  If you were to go to Israel today and wanted to walk where you knew Jesus would have walked, you would go to the Southern Steps. That’s because the southern steps, which have been excavated in recent years, served as the main entrance to the entire Temple Mount complex. We know from Scripture that Jesus went to the Temple several times throughout His life.  The Temple itself has since been destroyed, and the Temple Courts are buried under years of civilization and rebuilding.  But the southern steps can still be walked upon today.
          The Bible says that Jesus first visited the Temple as a child, when Mary and Joseph brought Him here to be consecrated to the Lord (see Luke 2:21-40). The family then came back to Jerusalem year after year, as was their custom, for the yearly Feast of the Passover (Luke 2:41). It was on one of these trips that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus as they were traveling back home, thinking that He was traveling back with relatives or friends.  After searching for Him for three days, they finally found Him, back in Jerusalem in the Temple Courts.  He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions.  Upon hearing that His parents had been anxiously searching for Him, Jesus replied: “Why were you searching for me?  Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Then as an adult, Jesus often taught crowds of people there at the Temple Courts.  The Bible says that during the final week of His life: “Each day Jesus was teaching at the Temple, and each evening He went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear Him at the Temple.” (Luke 21:37-38). If just walking where Jesus walked sounds exciting—like it was to Neil Armstrong—imagine what it would have been like to hear Him speak! 
          Imagine being there in person, back in 33 A.D., and listening to the words that Jesus spoke, coming from His own mouth! Imagine hearing Jesus tell some of His parables for the very first time, right there in the Temple Courts: the parable of the two sons, or of the ungrateful tenants, or of the wedding banquet of a king. Imagine Jesus answering people’s questions, whether honest and practical questions, or those that were asked by people in order to trap Him, with words that astonished all who heard them and silenced His critics. Imagine hearing Jesus answer the question about whether or not it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, and then hearing Jesus ask you to take out a coin with Caesar’s image on it and saying: “Give to Caesar’s what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Or imagine Him answering the question about the resurrection of the dead, and whether or not people would really live again after they died, and hearing Jesus say: “Have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (Matthew 22:31b-32). Or imagine Jesus being asked what He thought was the greatest commandment in the law, and hearing Jesus say for the first time: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-38). Or imagine watching, along with Jesus, as a poor widow passed in front of you and put two very small coins into the Temple offering, and hearing Jesus say: “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on”  (Luke 21:2-4). All of these things took place at the Temple Courts.  No wonder the Bible says that all those who heard Jesus speak there—even when He was just twelve—were “…amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:47). No wonder the Bible says that the crowds who heard Jesus speak at the Temple Courts as an adult were “…astonished at His teaching” (Matthew 22:33b). No wonder the Bible says that when He spoke during the feast that “…all the people came early in the morning to hear Him at the Temple” (Luke 21:38).
          Jesus isn’t a teacher who is now dead and silent.  He’s just as alive and eager to speak to you today as He was back then.  As the Bible says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
          What a blessing it is to be able to walk where Jesus walked, as Neil Armstrong did, and what a blessing it would have been to hear Him teach in person at the Temple Courts. But what a blessing it is that we can still come to Him every day, whether early in the morning, throughout the day, or late in the day, and hear the wisdom of God as spoken through Jesus Christ Himself. Come to Christ again today—and every day—and let Him speak His words of life to you.
          Father, thank You for sending Jesus to speak to the crowds at the Temple, and thank You for those who recorded His words so we can continue to hear Him speak to us today.  Open our hearts to hear those words as we come to You again today and every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.
          Look Up—meditate on Hebrews 13:8 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look In—as you meditate on Hebrews 13:8 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Hebrews 13:8 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

ASK----STANDING ON MOUNT BEATITUDES

 

          Standing on Mount Beatitudes, our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared with us that this is the hill where Jesus proclaimed the Sermon on the Mount. I opened my Bible to the Scripture Matthew 7:7 and suddenly like a light from Heaven, the word ASK jumped off the page: "Ask, and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you"

Ask

Seek

Knock

The first letter of each of the three action verbs, Ask, Seek, and Knock spell the word, "ASK." How amazing, how mysterious, that the Lord would highlight the first letter of those three words in sequence. He who spoke the world into existence, spoke these words in that sequence as translated into the English language, and He revealed it to my delight, because I was seeking Him.
          Seek Him. Seek the One who called you. Seek to know Him. Seek a heart to love Him. Seek—the heart of the three words, Ask, SEEK, Knock. It is so amazing to walk on the ground where Jesus walked, to sit on the mount by the Sea of Galilee where He taught His disciples, where He walked on the water, where He calmed the sea. From Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
          There are four “do not” commands in the Sermon on the Mount: “do not store up treasures” and “do not be anxious,” which shows up three times. If we obeyed the first command and refused to store up treasures, the other commands would likely be harder to follow—our anxieties would increase since we would have less to find our security in. But the message of Jesus has more to do with what’s in our hearts than in our bank accounts. He’s not interested in an empty wallet if it’s adjacent to an anxious heart. He’s interested in a heart that is anchored in Him. He’s focused on eternal treasures. Jesus knows that anxiety usurps our allegiance to His kingdom. It takes our eyes off the eternal things and fixes them on the temporary things. He’s serious about teaching us to trust Him and not to fear. He’s deeply invested in our hearts. If our hearts are attached to the fleeting, temporary things of life, anxiety is a natural response. But if our hearts are invested in the eternal things of His kingdom, they will be unshakable! If our hearts trust Him, we have nothing to fear!
          The Sermon on the Mount is a call for getting to the core of life's meaning. For moving beyond the external to the internal. For discovering the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart . . . a matter of attitude, or as Jesus taught, our be-attitudes.

          Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that when You look at me, You see my heart covered by the blood of Jesus. Give me a heart which yearns for Your Presence, a yearning for You that draws me over and over into Your Presence, a yearning that makes only a few days without time in prayer and Your Word seem like an eternity. Give me a heart which is motivated first and foremost by a desire for You, not for what You can do for me, but a yearning for Your Presence. Give me a heart that wants You more than anything else You could give, to love You and know You more than anything in life. Give me a heart that takes what You have made known to me and makes You re-known to everyone else, a heart that makes Your name and renown the desire of my heart. Give me a heart to feel Your Holy Spirit woo me once again to the place where I meet You. In the simplicity of my prayer time, give me a heart to be suddenly confronted by the majesty of my Redeemer—the One Who is responsible for any good in me. Lord, each morning, give me a heart that welcomes Your fresh mercies which fall like manna from Heaven, and once again move my heart. I gratefully surrender all. Morning after morning. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Matthew 7:7 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on Matthew 7:7 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Matthew 7:7 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

CAESAREA BY THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

 

           We are in awe as we walk in the sand beside this amazing Roman Aqueduct in Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea, and touch the “Pilate Stone” (below) which gives historical validation with the inscription of the name “Pontius Pilate” from 26-27 AD.

          Taking in the significance of this Roman Amphitheater (above) where the Apostle Paul proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ declaring… From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us, For in Him we live and move and have our being.--Acts 17:26-28.

          The reality of where I am is suddenly so clear to me, and all I know to be true because of what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me in the inspired, infallible, inerrant Holy Word of God. 

          As I stand beside these structures, built when Jesus Christ walked on this Earth, I am filled over and over again with the awesome awareness of the Presence of God in this place.

          "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me . . . Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:6, 19)

          Nothing satisfies my mind, my heart, and the deepest longings of my soul like Jesus does. He is not only the way, the truth, and the life; He is personal to me. He is my way, and my truth, and my life—just as he can be for anyone who reaches out to him, "He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27)

          Peace is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing. It is not related to our environment or circumstances. Peace is a gift, something Jesus gives. Through thankful, fervent prayer—articulating our burdens to Jesus—we exchange anxiety for peace. We seize His promises and assurances. The peace of God is powerfully vigilant, for it literally guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We can imagine this peace as a fortress encircling us. It protects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health; our stability; our steadfastness; our confidence in God.
          As we pray, we experience His peace, the walls grow taller and stronger, protecting us more and more. Peace guards our hearts, we live behind the safe protection of our fortress of peace. No matter what, ruling our hearts is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing.

          Heavenly Father, God of peace, teach me the path of peace. Teach me to pray with thanksgiving, to submit my requests and needs to You—and to leave them there. Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens on my own. You don’t want me to live in the clutches of anxiety; You want me to live freely, guarded by Your peace. Please flood and guard my heart with peace. Remind me, Father, that peace is not the absence of problems in my life but the calm assurance that You know what You’re doing. You have never failed me, and You will never leave me or forsake me—my confidence is in You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Acts 17:26-28 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-28 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-28 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM

 

JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM

It is a cool morning in November 2018, and the sun is shining brightly through the trees surrounding the Jordan River baptismal site called Yardenit, as our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner baptized my husband, Jack, and me. As my bare feet step into the chilly water, I am immediately aware of the Presence of the Divine.
          It was here, in this water, this same water, that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ placed His Perfect Spirit Feet shod with flesh. He was baptized, and immediately coming up out of the water, as He looked up to this same sun, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him, and His Father's Voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, and in You I am well-pleased."
          I see the bright sun shining through the trees above me, I feel its warmth on my face, and as my husband, Jack, and I are baptized by our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner in the chilly Jordan River, I experience once again the cleansing feeling of being buried with Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in a new way of life.
          This represents a re-commitment of my life to the One and Only Son of God, Who loved me so much that He took my sin upon Himself, nailed to that Cross, I come to Him again. I bow before Him, and look up to His thorn-pierced brow, and feel His Blood flow over those thorns to cover my heart, giving me His Robe of Righteousness to wear.
          From this day forward, I am a bond-servant to Jesus Christ. I am willing to be willing to surrender to You, Your Plan, Your Hope, Your Future for me. I will go where You want me to go, I will do what You want me to do, by the power of Your Holy Spirit Who dwells in the innermost part of me, taking authority over my soul—the seat of my emotions, and my body—my fleshly desires and appetites.
          This is the only place in the Scriptures where the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—appear all-at-once is here . . . Mark 1:9-11 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
            The first act of obedience after salvation is to be baptized. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change, and is a picture of three things: 

1.  It’s a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

2.  It’s a picture of the death of your old life, and that you’re raised to walk in a new way of life.

3.  It’s a public way to share that you’re not ashamed to publicly declare Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life! 

          Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:1-22), and He calls His followers to also be baptized. Baptism was practiced by the very first followers of Jesus in Acts 2:41. 

          SAVIOR, every day people who are hurting and lost surround me. Help me to share the good news that you are the Christ and that you have set us free! Lord, if there are those in my life who are crying out to you, open my spiritual eyes that I might see, and give me the courage to share the gospel message with them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

          Look Up—meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look In—as you meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

MAGDALA BY THE SEA OF GALILEE

 

MAGDALA BY THE SEA OF GALILEE

          On our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2018, our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared with us that this first-century synagogue in Magdala marks the hometown of Mary Magdalene. It was uncovered by accident in 2009 when workers broke ground for a new hotel. When the excavator first struck dirt, it made contact with a rock that turned out to be an ornately carved stone, now called the Magdala Stone. This stone was positioned in the center of the synagogue, leading scholars to believe it was used as a podium or reading desk—the flat surface where rabbis would unroll the Torah scrolls for teaching. Outside the entrance, archaeologists found a stone wash basin. This type of basin is where Jews would wash their hands prior to entering the synagogue. Scripture tells us Jesus taught in this synagogue, which means He likely rolled out a scroll on the Magdala Stone. And as a law-abiding Jew, He would have washed His hands in this wash basin. The hands that formed these rocks washed in them, taught from them. Archeologists long denied the existence of the first-century synagogues that Scripture mentions, but buried underneath this soil for thousands of years, these stones testify to the truth of His Word.
            In the basement of one of the buildings at Magdala is the Encounter Chapel which is modeled after the synagogue that was excavated in Magdala. The seating is like the synagogue, and the stones on the floor are the actual stones on which Jesus would have walked 2,000 years ago. There is a mural on the wall of the woman touching Jesus’ robe. This was painted by now famous Daniel Cariola from Chile. It is a work of genius and capturing that moment, he painted the tip of her finger as healed, and the rest of the hand is still sickly. He did a lot of study on the hands of 20 elderly sick women to produce this hand. By painting the tip of her finger as healed, he captures that instant of the miracle when Jesus asks the question, “Who touched me?” The disciples push back and say, “You're crazy, everybody's pushing, look at all the people here, so close, all tight, all wanting to get close to Jesus. Jesus knew and he said, “Power went out from me, somebody touched me.” What Jesus is interested in is the relationship with this woman, the relationship with every person whom he heals. Jesus wants personal relationships with us, not just a chemical, biological, physical healing. He wants us to enter into relationship because there's probably a lot more to be healed. We could be physically well, but we could be in real bad trouble with a child, with a parent, with a sibling, with a neighbor. The healing of relationships is so important.
          Think of somebody today who needs healing—it could be cancer, it could be diabetes, it could be migraines, but it could also be relationships. It could be depression, it could be unhealthy aggressiveness, unhealthy relationships, we want healing, we ask the Lord for healing. Place your finger as though you’re touching Jesus’ robe and think of someone now for whom we pray: Lord Jesus, we come to you as though we are at Magdala by the Sea of Galilee, with our sick and broken people, as represented by this painting. Jesus, we believe in you, that's why we bring them. We know who you are. Jesus, we hope in you because so many thousands came to you here 2,000 years ago with great hope of healing. We hope in you with a great hope. Jesus, we come to you with our broken person. We can say his name now, her name. We come with great love. Love makes us patient. Patience is nothing more than pure love for people who are a big burden for us. Pure love for you, Lord. When we are going through very hard times for which we have zero understanding. Jesus, fill the heart of this broken person with your love so that this person can become a hero of patience until they're fully healed. Jesus, we believe in you. Jesus, we hope in you. Jesus, we love you. Thank you, Jesus. Jesus, we adore you, amen.
          When you feel outcast or in need of healing, cry out to Jesus. The woman with the issue of blood did in Luke 8:43-48. As her story shows, Jesus meets us where we are and reminds us of our belovedness. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and Holy Spirit, meet us in this space, whatever space we find ourselves in. Help us to learn more about who You are through this woman. Help us to see Your image in the image-bearer we find in this story. Help us to sympathize, grow, and lean into her story. Give us wisdom and gentleness with ourselves today. In the precious name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

          The unnamed woman in this Gospel story is a woman who has suffered for 12 years from a certain kind of bleeding; it is often translated as “hemorrhaging.” She has visited many doctors and healers, and none of them has been able to heal her. It seems frenetic and like she is acting out in a last-ditch effort. Her very presence in a large crowd would be frowned upon in this society because she is considered “unclean.” Her normal existence would often have been spent watching people skirt around her to avoid the possibility of contact. No brushing or touching or sharing friendly gestures on the path. She lived in isolation and would have been known for her uncleanliness.
          This unnamed woman, whose story the text brings to light, not only suffered from continuous bleeding for many years, but also that dirty, unclean feeling resulting from being stigmatized and isolated. Hers was a continual existence of pain and being cast out. Jesus meets her in this space—or, rather, is met by her—and does the opposite of what is expected. Instead of being repulsed or disgusted by her, he responds with peace. He responds with acceptance and grace. He seems to respond with understanding. He calls her daughter. He accepts her. He offers her peace and heals her.
          This bleeding woman’s story interacts with all of our stories because we, like her, have been in need of healing at some point or another. We have been outcasts or have felt abandoned by our communities or our friends. We have been in need of a merciful touch by God and by the body of Christ incarnate in our sisters and brothers here with us.
          Know that you are beloved and known by God. Healing does not always look exactly like what we are hoping for, but sometimes healing looks like acceptance, belonging, and connection. Sometimes healing looks like not letting fear have a hold in your life. Love looks like a touch from a friend or loved one in a moment of shame, hopelessness, or deep pain to draw us out and remind us that we are loved and called children of God.
          Reach out and touch the robe of Jesus today and ask for the reminder, the grace, and the knowing that comes from Him. Let Christ find you wherever you are and meet you there—at your lowest lows and your highest heights. Ask for wisdom and pray for strength and courage this day.
          Lord Jesus, thank You for facing the same temptations and problems we do and for fully understanding our weaknesses. Thank You for pouring out your life on the cross, for rising again and reigning at the right hand of the Father. Your throne is a place of grace for Your children, where we can receive Your mercy and help when we most need it, in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

          Look up – Meditate on Luke 8:43-48. Pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look in – Meditate on Luke 8:43-48. Pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: “Because God is ______________, I will ______________.”
          Look out – Meditate on Luke 8:43-48. Pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
NOTE: There is a wonderful online devotion every morning on YouTube called "Sunrise Stroll & Chat" with Fr Eamon Kelly which records the sunrise every morning from Magdala at the Sea of Galilee. It's a wonderful way to start the day.