Beth Willis Miller, M.Ed., is the author of Memorable Moments in the Holy Land, The Romans Road To Salvation; 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet; Twenty Encouraging Devotions with Inspiring Bible Journaling Artwork; Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ, with Illustrator Krista Hamrick, and 31-Day Prayer Journey Leading to Easter. She is married with two adult children, and two grandsons.
One elderly former pastor from our church recently sent me the sweetest letter after he read my book in which he wrote: "Thank you for taking me on my long-desired journey to the Holy Land! Memorable Moments in the Holy Land is a spiritually-moving blend of awesome visual encounter, rich fellowship with fellow believers, worship, and thanksgiving. It allows me to "see" many of the places that previously I have only "seen" through the reading of scripture. Many of the members of our church are being blessed by your sharing of family experiences, devotional thoughts, and comments on our worship experiences. Please, keep writing...again, thank you for writing the book, As I said earlier, it is my Holy Land trip. For years I've had an inner ear condition that rules out flying, so I'm enjoying the sights and lessons from the Holy Land through your writings."
WOW! From the small beginning of this blog on October 1, 2009, until August 11, 2026, there have been over One Million Page Views! Praise the Lord!
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Memorable Moments in the Holy Land Invites Readers on a
Faith-Filled Journey Through the Places Where the Bible Came to Life
Christian author Beth Willis Miller shares inspiring
reflections from multiple pilgrimages that deepen faith, illuminate Scripture,
and bring readers closer to the land of the Bible.
LAKELAND, FL — Christian author Beth Willis Miller
announces the release of her new inspirational book, “Memorable Moments
in the Holy Land,” a heartfelt collection of personal reflections from
multiple pilgrimages through the sacred places where the events of Scripture
unfolded. Blending biblical history, personal testimony, and devotional
insight, the book invites readers to experience the Holy Land in a way that
strengthens faith and brings God's Word vividly to life.
From the peaceful shores of the Sea of Galilee to the
solemn stillness of the Garden of Gethsemane, each chapter captures
meaningful moments from locations central to the Christian faith, including Bethlehem,
Capernaum, the Jordan River, the Mount of Olives, the Garden
Tomb, and many other biblical sites. Through engaging storytelling and
thoughtful reflection, Miller helps readers connect the pages of Scripture with
the very places where Jesus lived, taught, ministered, died, and rose again.
The inspiration for the book began in 2000 when Miller
traveled to Israel as one of hundreds of women participating in the filming of
the Lifeway Bible study “Jesus, the One and Only.” That first
pilgrimage ignited a lifelong love for the Holy Land. In the years that
followed, she and her husband, Jack Miller, returned on additional
pilgrimages with their pastor, Dr. Aaron D. Burgner, and members of Lakes
Church, deepening their understanding of Scripture and inspiring the
stories and spiritual lessons shared throughout this book.
Rather than serving as a traditional travel guide, “Memorable
Moments in the Holy Land” offers readers an invitation to walk spiritually
through the land of the Bible. Standing where Jesus taught, watching the
sunrise over the Sea of Galilee, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and
reflecting at the Empty Garden Tomb transformed familiar biblical passages into
deeply personal encounters with God's presence. Miller hopes these reflections
will inspire readers to experience the same renewed appreciation for Scripture
and a deeper relationship with Christ.
Written for Christians, Bible study groups, pastors,
ministry leaders, and anyone interested in biblical history or faith-based
travel, the book is ideal for those preparing for a pilgrimage as well as
readers seeking to enrich their personal devotional life without leaving home.
Its devotional format makes it well suited for both individual reading and
small-group discussion.
"My prayer is that every reader will discover that the
Bible is more than history—it is God's living Word," says Miller.
"These sacred places reminded me that every page of Scripture points us to
Jesus, and I hope this book encourages others to grow in their faith as they
journey through the Holy Land from wherever they are. Miller shared this recent letter she received: "One elderly former pastor from our church sent me the
sweetest letter after he read my book in which he wrote: "Thank you
for taking me on my long-desired journey to the Holy Land! Memorable Moments in
the Holy Land is a spiritually-moving blend of awesome visual encounter, rich
fellowship with fellow believers, worship, and thanksgiving. It allows me to
"see" many of the places that previously I have only "seen"
through the reading of scripture. Many of the members of our church are being
blessed by your sharing of family experiences, devotional thoughts, and
comments on our worship experiences. Please, keep writing...again, thank you
for writing the book, As I said earlier, it is my Holy Land trip. For years
I've had an inner ear condition that rules out flying, so I'm enjoying the
sights and lessons from the Holy Land through your writings."
About the Author
Beth Willis Miller is a Christian author whose passion for
Scripture has been enriched through years of Bible study and repeated
pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Her experiences walking the places recorded in
the Bible have inspired a deeper love for God's Word and a desire to help
others experience its timeless truth. Through “Memorable Moments in the Holy
Land,” she invites readers to encounter the wonder of Scripture with fresh
eyes and renewed faith.
Book Information
Title: “Memorable Moments in the Holy Land” Author: Beth Willis Miller
One elderly former pastor from our church recently sent me the sweetest letter after he read my book in which he wrote: "Thank you for taking me on my long-desired journey to the Holy Land! Memorable Moments in the Holy Land is a spiritually-moving blend of awesome visual encounter, rich fellowship with fellow believers, worship, and thanksgiving. It allows me to "see" many of the places that previously I have only "seen" through the reading of scripture. Many of the members of our church are being blessed by your sharing of family experiences, devotional thoughts, and comments on our worship experiences. Please, keep writing...again, thank you for writing the book, As I said earlier, it is my Holy Land trip. For years I've had an inner ear condition that rules out flying, so I'm enjoying the sights and lessons from the Holy Land through your writings."
House of Caiaphas at the Church of
Saint Peter in Gallicantu & THE FLOOR OF THE FLAGELLATION ALONG THE VIA DOLOROSA in Jerusalem'S OLD CITY
During each Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes
Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared from Psalm 88 as he explained the
biblical and historical significance of the House of Caiaphas.
Video of Lakes Church Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner sharing from Psalm 88
This church, known as the Church of
Saint Peter in Gallicantu (cock's crow in Latin), marks the place of the House
of Caiaphas. It's here that Jesus would be tried before Caiaphas, the High
Priest. It's here that Jesus would spend the night before His crucifixion in a
cold, dark dungeon. It's also here that Peter would deny Christ three times. We
experienced the prison cell where Jesus was likely beaten, and the dungeon
where Jesus spent the night before being crucified. It has rings in the walls
where prisoners would be tied up and beaten. This is likely where Jesus was
beaten before being thrown in the dungeon below it. We could see the path Jesus
would have walked, going to Gethsemane from the Upper Room and returning under
arrest from Gethsemane to here, including the steps beside the church that was
used for ascending and descending from Mount Zion to the Kidron
Valley. Jesus and His disciples most likely used them as they traveled
from the Upper Room, where they had celebrated the Passover meal, to the Garden
of Gethsemane. Later, Christ would use these same steps as He was brought
from Gethsemane, which led through the Kidron Valley, to the House of Caiaphas.
In the Courtyard of the church is a statue that recalls the events of Peter’s
denial of Jesus. It shows Peter, the rooster that crowed, a maid, a servant,
and a Roman soldier.
Some
people refer to a visit to the Holy Land as the fifth gospel. I guess it’s
because everything you read about in the Bible comes to life when you walk
where Jesus walked. Visiting the Holy Land engages not only one’s thoughts and
emotions, but also the senses. Seeing the cities and towns where narratives in
Scripture took place, hearing the bleating sheep on the hills outside
Jerusalem, sitting on the same hillside where Jesus preached, and smelling the
sea where he calmed the storm, makes those passages you’ve read countless times
come to life. After his arrest, Jesus was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the
high priest. Caiaphas was one of those behind the plot to have Jesus killed
(John 18:14, Matthew 26:3-4). Peter stood out in the courtyard and waited to
see what would happen. We went to that courtyard where a statue of a rooster
now stands. We then went to an underground prison beneath Caiaphas’ home where
Jesus was likely held the night of his arrest. It was a deep, dark pit. There
was one light dimly illuminating the room for us, but I could easily imagine
what it would have been like turned off. With our Lakes Church members crowded
inside, our Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner read Psalm 88 and prayed. Reading the
psalm in the place where Jesus spent his final night before going to the cross,
struck me in a way it hadn’t before. “You have put me in the depths of
the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you
overwhelm me with all your waves” (Psalm 88:6-7). Psalm
88 is the darkest of the psalms in the Psalter. Unlike other laments, it
doesn’t end with words of praise. Despite its darkness, the psalm has brought
me hope over the years when I’ve found myself in my own place of darkness. The
mere fact that the psalm is in included in the Bible, and in the songbook of
God’s people no less, tells me how compassionate our God is. He knows how
fallen our world is. He knows our pain and invites us to share it with him. Our
grief and sorrow isn’t neat and tidy. Sometimes we can’t even put our thoughts
and emotions into words. But no matter how dark our emotions, we need to cry
out to the God who hears us, for he alone is our salvation. As Pastor Matthew
Henry commented, “before he begins his complaint, he calls God the God of his
salvation, which intimates both that he looked for salvation, bad as things
were, and that he looked up to God for the salvation and depended upon him to
be the author of it.” Like all of Scripture, each psalm has a here and now
meaning for the author who wrote it. Psalm 88 was written by Heman, one of
Israel’s worship leaders. As a worship leader, he wrote songs to help God’s
people sing to God during all of life’s circumstances, both in the joys and in
the sorrows. In Psalm 88, we can see that the psalmist obviously endured a
significant trial in his life. He was in despair. He cried out to God day and
night. He felt the weight of God’s judgement and the abandonment of his
friends. God seemed far away—so far, darkness had become his only friend (v.
18).
When we left the House of Caiaphas, we walked to the “floor of the flagellation” which refers to the “Lithostrotos”—an ancient stone-paved Roman courtyard uncovered beneath the Sanctuary of the Flagellation and the Convent of Ecce Homo along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City, where Pastor Aaron Burgner shared the details of what Christ suffered there.
Video of Pastor Aaron Burgner sharing from the Floor of the Flagellation
These stones bear ancient markings that may include games played by Roman soldiers, lending credence to the Gospel accounts of the soldiers mocking Jesus before his crucifixion.
When we left the House of Caiaphas, we walkd to the “floor of the flagellation” which refers to the “Lithostrotos”—an ancient stone-paved Roman courtyard uncovered beneath the Sanctuary of the Flagellation and the Convent of Ecce Homo along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City, where Pastor Aaron Burgner shared the details of what Christ suffered there. Christian tradition associates these stone floors with the pavement where Jesus was tried and scourged. This location places visitors at the traditional Second Station of the Cross, where tradition holds that two pivotal events of the Passion occurred: Jesus’ flagellation by Roman soldiers and his formal condemnation to death by crucifixion. The monastery sits atop what archaeologists believe may be remnants of the ancient Antonia Fortress, the Roman military barracks that once housed Pontius Pilate’s tribunal. Access to the church requires walking through the narrow stone streets of the Old City. The Church of the Flagellation commemorates the biblical account of Jesus’ scourging as described in all four Gospels, though with varying degrees of detail. According to Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, and John 19:1, Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged before his crucifixion, a standard Roman practice that typically preceded execution. The Greek term “phragellōo” used in the Gospels refers specifically to the brutal Roman scourging with a flagrum, a whip embedded with metal balls and bone fragments designed to tear flesh. Archaeological excavations conducted beneath the nearby Church of the Condemnation have uncovered an extensive area of Roman flagstones, identified by some researchers as the “Lithostrotos” or stone pavement mentioned in John 19:13. These stones bear ancient markings that may include games played by Roman soldiers, lending credence to the Gospel accounts of the soldiers mocking Jesus before his crucifixion. The discovery of first-century pottery sherds and coins in the area provides additional context for understanding the site’s occupation during the time of Christ.
But
also like all of Scripture, Jesus fulfills Psalm 88.As Luke 24:27 tells
us, when Jesus walked on the road to Emmaus with some of the disciples
following his resurrection,“And beginning with Moses and all the
Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning
himself.” In Psalm 88, we hear Jesus with his friends in the Garden
before his arrest echoing the psalmist, “For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol” (v. 3). Jesus stepped into the
darkness on our behalf. The night he spent in the pit was only the beginning of
all that he would endure for us. He felt the full weight of God’s wrath at the
cross in our stead. “Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me
with all your waves” (Psalm 88:7). He too was abandoned by his closest
friends (v.8). Christ took on the curse of death, the darkest of all pits.
After my visit to that underground pit beneath the home of Caiaphas, I now read
Psalm 88 with greater joy than ever before. I still rejoice that I can come to
the Father and voice my sorrows, no matter how dark. I still turn to him in
lament and ask for his help and rescue, trusting in him as my salvation. But I
also rejoice, knowing that my Savior endured greater darkness—God’s wrath for
sin—on my behalf. When it seems as though I’m stuck in a pit of despair, I
remember Jesus and the lengths he went to for my redemption. He went to dark places
I will never have to go. And for that I rejoice. God
offers a kind of rest that is different from what our own minds would conceive.God offers us rest in the midst of our distress. It is the only true rest—an
inner rest that comes from abandoning ourselves to the Lord and entrusting to
him whatever troubles or problems are overwhelming us. Instead of flying away,
run straight into the arms of God, and rest in his care and love for you today.
God’s promises in the Bible gives us assurance that we are not alone in this
fearful place. God has promised to be with you in every situation and to never
leave you, so you can put your trust in him. He is the source of our courage
and security. He can turn your fear into faith.
OH,
LORD, I do want my problems solved and my troubles removed, but from the
crushing weight of my burdens, I turn my eyes to you. I entrust this perplexity
to you. Enable me to find my rest in you, to discover a place of deeper
abandonment and security in your everlasting love. You are my only rock. You
are my only rest. Lord, you have said that when I’m afraid, at the very point
of my anxiety, I can put my trust in you and experience your protection. I
thank you for your Word that promises your presence with me. You are my
heavenly Father, so please hold my hand in dark and frightening circumstances,
and help me to trust you and walk close to you today. In Jesus’ name we pray,
amen.
Look
Up—meditate on Psalm 88 …pray to see what it reveals about the
character of God. Look
In—as you meditate on Psalm 88 …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 Psalm 88 …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.
* If you liked this post, you will LOVE this new book: "Memorable Moments in the Holy Land," available on Amazon at this link:https://a.co/d/06G79jQm
One elderly former pastor from our church recently sent me the sweetest letter after he read my book in which he wrote: "Thank you for taking me on my long-desired journey to the Holy Land! Memorable Moments in the Holy Land is a spiritually-moving blend of awesome visual encounter, rich fellowship with fellow believers, worship, and thanksgiving. It allows me to "see" many of the places that previously I have only "seen" through the reading of scripture. Many of the members of our church are being blessed by your sharing of family experiences, devotional thoughts, and comments on our worship experiences. Please, keep writing...again, thank you for writing the book, As I said earlier, it is my Holy Land trip. For years I've had an inner ear condition that rules out flying, so I'm enjoying the sights and lessons from the Holy Land through your writings."
MIRACULOUS
HEALING AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA
Each
year during his Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D.
Burgner shares with us the biblical and historical significance of the
miraculous healing at The Pool of Bethesda, which was “in Jerusalem near the
Sheep Gate” (John 5:2), which places it north of the temple, near Fort Antonia. John gives the additional detail that
the pool was “surrounded by five covered colonnades.” During Jesus’ time, the
Pool of Bethesda lay outside the city walls. It was at this pool that Jesus
performed a miracle showing that He is greater than any human malady and that
superstition and religious folklore are foolish and feeble substitutes for
faith in God. Have
you ever wanted something that always evaded you? The lame man by the Pool
of Bethesda knew what that feels like. He had been sitting by these “healing”
pools for 38 years—that’s 13,870 days—longing for something, and maybe even
watching others get what he longed for. But he was helpless. Prolonged trials
have a way of isolating you, and by this point, the man had no one who cared
for him enough to help him. He was alone. He may have even fallen into despair.
When
Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed, he didn’t even say yes. Instead,
he replied with reasons why healing seemed impossible for him. Jesus cared
about what this man wanted—his heart and his desires. And He leaned into the
man’s despair with hope and healing. Then, after the man was healed, do you
know where he went first? To the temple. He went to draw near to the presence of
God. He’d never been allowed to go to the temple before because of his
lameness, and he didn’t have a way to get there even if he was allowed. But
now, healed and hopeful, he walked—walked!—to the temple to worship God.
The Pool of Bethesda was used in ancient times to provide water for the temple.
The mention of the “Upper Pool” in 2 Kings 18:17 may be a reference to the Pool
of Bethesda. The name of the pool, “Bethesda,” is Aramaic. It means “House of
Mercy.” John tells us that “a great number of disabled people used to lie
[there]—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed” (John 5:3). The covered colonnades
would have provided shade for the disabled who gathered there, but there was
another reason for the popularity of the Pool of Bethesda. Legend had it that
an angel would come down into the pool and “stir up the water.” On
the day that Jesus visited the Pool of Bethesda, there was a man there who “had
been an invalid for thirty-eight years” (John 5:5). Jesus asked the man if
he wanted to be healed. The man replied, “I have no one to help me into the
pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes
down ahead of me” (verse 7). Obviously, the man believed the urban legend about
the stirring of the water. He blamed the fact that he was never healed on his
tardiness in getting into the water. Jesus swept aside all superstition and
bypassed altogether the need for magic water with one command: “Get up! Pick up
your mat and walk” (John 5:8). The man was instantly cured, and “he picked up
his mat and walked” (verse 9). The man did not need quicker reflexes or
beneficent angels or enchanted water. The man needed Jesus. Amazingly, not
everyone was happy about the man’s miraculous healing. The
day Jesus healed the man at the poolside happened to be a Sabbath. As the
man left Bethesda, the Jewish leaders saw him carrying his mat, and they
stopped him: “It is the Sabbath,” they said. “The law forbids you to carry your
mat” (John 5:10). The man told them that he was simply obeying orders: “The man
who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’” (verse 11). The Jews
inquired who would so brazenly promote Law-breaking, but “the man who was
healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd”
(verse 13). The reaction of the Jewish leaders shows that, no matter how much
proof God provides, there will be some people who refuse to see the truth.
Jesus was a bona fide Miracle Worker, but the religious leaders couldn’t see
the miracle. All they could see was that someone had violated a rule. The issue
was not the breaking of God’s command, for Jesus fulfilled the Law and was
completely subject to it (Matthew 5:17). The only thing being broken was a
pharisaical interpretation of one of God’s laws. So, a
blessing meant to increase faith only increased the blindness of those who
refused to acknowledge the blessing. The postscript to the story reveals that
the man who was physically healed still needed some spiritual healing.
“Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well again.
Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you’” (John 5:14). Jesus’ words
are a rebuke of an unnamed sin—the man was living contrary to God’s will
somehow—and a warning of “something worse.” What could be worse than
thirty-eight years of paralysis? How about an eternity in hell (see Mark 9:47)?
Now
that the man knew who Jesus was, he returned to the Jewish leaders and told
them “it was Jesus who had made him well” (John 5:15). It is likely that
the man did this in praise of Jesus, to magnify the glory due His name, and
also from a sense of obligation—he had been asked a question and felt he should
respond with the answer, once he had it. Little did he anticipate the reaction the
leaders would have: “So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath,
the Jewish leaders began to persecute him” (verse 16). The Pool of Bethesda was
the focus of a local legend about healing, but Jesus showed that faith in
legends and superstition is misplaced. In contrast, faith in Jesus Christ—the
One who can heal with a simple word, the Savior who can forgive any sin, the true
Master of the “House of Mercy”—is never misplaced. Now
let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.
Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your law is my delight.—Psalm
119:76-77 When
we pray, Lord, may your unfailing love comfort those who need it today.
Surround them with your tender mercies. And may they feel and experience and
believe the love you have toward them, it is a powerful prayer that God
delights to answer, for he is the God of all comfort. He is full of
loving-kindness and tender mercies. Do you know someone who is in the midst of
a trial, someone who is sick, heartbroken, alone, or in distress and needs to
be comforted by the Lord’s unfailing love today? What friends or family members
need to be surrounded with God’s tender mercies? As you pray for your friends
and loved ones, you can be confident that there is no pain or suffering too
deep for the love and mercy of God to reach.
LORD,
you are the God of all comfort. How grateful I am. I pray that your unfailing
love will comfort my loved ones and that your tender mercies will surround them.
These dear ones need your Spirit’s tenderness today. May they experience you in
the midst of their pain, and please touch them with healing today. Lord, it is
such a comfort to know that your eyes watch over me and my loved ones, that
your ears hear our cries for help. Thank you for hearing our cries, for
rescuing us when we are crushed in spirit. You are always close to the
brokenhearted, to those who are in dire straits. I praise you for the hope and
courage your promises give us when we are face-to-face with the most difficult
of circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. Look
Up—meditate on Psalm 119:76-77…pray to see what it reveals about the
character of God. Look
In—as you meditate on Psalm 119:76-77…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 Psalm 119:76-77…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.
* If you liked this post, you will LOVE this new book: "Memorable Moments in the Holy Land," available on Amazon at this link:https://a.co/d/06G79jQm
One elderly former pastor from our church recently sent me the sweetest letter after he read my book in which he wrote: "Thank you for taking me on my long-desired journey to the Holy Land! Memorable Moments in the Holy Land is a spiritually-moving blend of awesome visual encounter, rich fellowship with fellow believers, worship, and thanksgiving. It allows me to "see" many of the places that previously I have only "seen" through the reading of scripture. Many of the members of our church are being blessed by your sharing of family experiences, devotional thoughts, and comments on our worship experiences. Please, keep writing...again, thank you for writing the book, As I said earlier, it is my Holy Land trip. For years I've had an inner ear condition that rules out flying, so I'm enjoying the sights and lessons from the Holy Land through your writings."
Video of Lakes Church Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner sharing a message at Beit She'an
One hour
south of Beit She’an are the Qumran Caves and Masada—two famous historical
sites near the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert. Qumran is where the ancient Dead
Sea Scrolls were found, and Masada is an ancient mountain fortress with royal
palaces and a dramatic last stand history.
Qumran
Caves
Located on
the northwest shore of the Dead Sea.
Famous for
the discovery sites of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in nearby caves between 1947
and 1956.
Home to
ruins of an ancient settlement linked to the Essene Jewish community.
Yielded
biblical and sectarian manuscripts that changed biblical history.
Masada
Located on
a high rock plateau about 30 miles south of Qumran.
Built as a
luxury fortress by King Herod the Great.
Served as
the final stronghold for Jewish rebels during the revolt against Rome, ending
in mass tragedy in 73 CE.
Excavations
also uncovered scroll fragments matching texts found at Qumran.
Qumran Caves
Masada
Masada
Masada
Masada
Beit She’an
Crossroads near nazareth
During
each Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared
with us the biblical and historical significance of Beit She’an, both in the
life of King Saul from 1 Samuel and in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ from John 15. Beit
She'an, also known as Beisan, or Beth-shean, is a city in the Northern District
of Israel. Beit She'an is believed to be one of the oldest cities in the region.
It’s located in the center of several main crossroads between the Jordan Valley
and the Jezreel Valley. Around 1050 BC, the Philistines ruled the city for a
time because they hung King Saul's body on its walls after defeating Israel's
armies in the Battle of Gilboa. When King David reigned (1010–970 BC), he
conquered Beit She'an, making it part of Israel’s territories. In 63 BC, the
Romans conquered the City. It became one of the Decapolis, a group of cities
with a Hellenistic-Roman cultural character. Beit She'an was one of the key
cities of the Roman Empire in this area south of Galilee. Beit She'an was not
far from Nazareth, and it’s possible that Jesus, as a young man, worked here
with His father as a builder. Undoubtedly, Christ walked by it regularly.
The
death of King Saul: In 1 Samuel
31, we see that the problem with sinful humanity is that we all want to be king.
Adam and Eve were rulers in God‘s kingdom but wanted to be kings themselves. The
nation of Israel had no king but wanted to be like other nations, so they asked
and pleaded for a king. In spite of God’s warnings, he gave them King Saul. So
the story of King Saul is a picture that there is only one true king. He is the
greater king, King Jesus. King Saul only shows us how earthly kings will not
live up to God‘s righteous standard and ultimately be destroyed. In1
Samuel 28 Saul seeks after the witch of Endor. In 1 Samuel 31 Saul and his
three sons are killed in battle against the Philistines at Gilboa, and then
his body is stretched out and nailed to thewalls of Beit She'an.
Jesus
vs. Saul: The Spirit of God
left King Saul, but the Bible says that the Spirit of God descended on Jesus
Christ.King Saul talks with a witch, while Jesus constantly talks to
his father about his will.King Saul would die in his humiliation at the
hands of God’s greatest enemies. But Christ would die and be exalted at the
hands of his enemies as well.King Saul’s head was removed, but in
Christ death Satan‘s head was crushed.In King Saul’s death the enemies
of God declared the good news or gospel to all of their minions. But in Christ
death, the gospel is proclaimed to all the weak throughout the earth that
salvation has come.In Saul’s death, he was stretched out and nailed up
for all to see, then carried away by his friends but then burned with fire.In
Christ’s death, he too was stretched out and nailed up for all to see, but then
carried away by friends but exalted to live life everlasting. Conclusion:
Christ must be king of our life so that we can enjoy his life that he
providesthrough his living spirit. InJohn 15, we must remain in
the vine and let his word purge us. Being king of your own life in any area,
even your private thoughts and actions, will only lead to destruction and
death. Perhaps even the destruction and death of the ones closest to you. Saul
cared more about what people thought of him than what God thought of him. He
made big decisions without consulting the Lord. Saul always had an excuse for
his sin and disobedience. We must realize that obedience delights God more than
asking forgiveness. Rebellion & arrogance are the same as witchcraft
because both attitudes fail to obey God and instead seek their own will and
pleasure. Saul presumed upon God’s grace. In other words, he believed he could
disobey God, that God would forgive him, and that there would be no
consequences. This attitude proved to be both dangerous and sinful, ultimately
costing him his life and ministry. Are we committed to submitting to God, or do
we set ourselves up as our own authority like Saul? Christians
of times past felt that prayer found its greatest inspiration in the Lord
himself, and they had a term called “pleading God’s attributes,” in which
they would recount particular attributes of God’s character to him and then ask
him to answer their prayer on the basis of those attributes: “Lord, you are
merciful and gracious, so have mercy on me.” “Lord, you are full of unfailing
love. Show us your love in this situation.” “Lord, you delivered your servant
Daniel; I pray for your deliverance in my life.” “You revealed your character
and deeds to Moses and your people. Likewise, please reveal yourself to me!”
Since God’s attributes are numerous throughout Scripture, they provide a
never-ending source of inspiration for our prayer life. Praying God’s
attributes renews our faith and confidence and reminds us of his greatness and
his ability to save. Choose one of the attributes of God from this psalm to
“plead” as you pray today.
LORD,
you are merciful, gracious, full of unfailing love. I ask you to reveal this in
my life today. Thank you for revealing your wondrous attributes to us in your
Word. As I read it, continually open my eyes to who you really are so that my
prayers will rest on the solid foundation of your character. May my prayers
have power because they are based on the truth about you. Thank You, Father,
for the promises in your word. May they be incentives for me to continue in
prayer so that your will may be accomplished and your kingdom will come in my
life, family, nation, and world. Holy Spirit, thank you for dwelling within me
and for filling me with your power. Let my prayers be pleasing to you, Father,
as your Spirit leads me in praying in light of your promises. Father, no matter
how difficult the words of the Bible seem to be, help me to make decisions that
are in accordance with your Word. Help me, Holy Spirit, to understand how your
Word applies to every aspect of my life so that I will not be tempted to turn away
as others have done. Remind me daily that you alone have the words that give
eternal life. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Look
Up—meditate on John 15 …pray to see
what it reveals about the character of God. Look
In—as you meditate on John 15 …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 John 15…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.
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