Roman Cities, Jewish Cities - Hippodromes & Such

On our trip to Israel we learned there were Jewish cities and Hellenistic-Roman cities.  Jewish cities were places where monotheistic faith in God and obedience to the commands were important.  Jewish villages were generally smaller and poorer than Roman towns.  Elements of faith were also present, such as mezuzahs.

Roman cities contained places of worship for various gods.  They were also bastians of Hellenistic culture.  These cities contained centers of entertainment such as the Theaters which told stories of the gods, hippodromes where horse racing was part of the culture, and amphitheater where gladiators and animals fought. Excellent examples of these structures can be seen in Caesarea, Beit Guvrin and Beit Shean.  Other examples are known to have existed.

Roman towns were often governmental centers.  Caesarea-Maritima, Sipporis, Tiberias, and Beit Shean (Scythopolis) were known to be governmental centers.  Beit Shean is in the Jordan River valley, level ground, which is easy to travel, on the way to Jerusalem.  The ruins of this city are well preserved, with many standing columns on the cardo.  Pictures of Beit Shean today show up on pages 90 of Advent Journeys.

Both types of cities existed in the time of Jesus.  It is thought that Joseph lived in Nazareth, a small Jewish town, but walked 3 miles to Sipporis, the new government center in order to work.  Joseph was a carpenter, or a construction worker.  Homes in the area are built of stone. Buildings in Sipporis have elaborate mosaics on the floor.  Joseph could have been the artist who constructed these floors.

Jewish people stayed in their communities because they were careful not to get caught up in the ways of the gentiles.  Gentiles were interested in entertainment.  Jews were interested in observing the faith and in community.  People were more important than activities, and the Jews were known for their care for one another.

Putting this in perspective, the Gentiles would celebrate this season with giving (and getting) fo gifts; with elaborate decorations (lights and greenery), with their trees (which symbolized new life), parties, and entertainment.  Jews would have put the story before anything else.  Each day would open and close with a scripture.  Music would be important.  And they would make sure no one was alone this season.

The care which must exist in Churches

Today’s devotion inl Advent Journeys demonstrates how good shepherds care for their sheep.  Each sheep is important to the shepherd: first, because they are counted by the owner, second because the shepherd grows to know their personality through the long hours spent together in the field.  The shepherd wants the best for each sheep.

The church is instructed by the Lord to pay attention to the flock of God even as good shepherds take care of each individual sheep.  Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep.”  Peter told elders of the early church “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

Some in today’s world have lost the intended concept of caring for the church as shepherds care for their sheep.  Some congregations design an experience called a worship service for clients to attend and enjoy.  Pastors and leaders have been led to think the church is in competition with the entertainment industry, and we must reach the world’s one-upmanship standards of excellence.  Each week we desire people to walk away with a positive experience, and to desire to return (hopefully with a friend) to experience the gospel also.

This thought process misses the point of what both the church and what worship are all about.  The New Testament word for church is ἐκκλησία, which means “an assembly of people.”  As one reads the epistles of Paul we discover this is not just a gathering in an auditorium, but a people who come together to pray, care for others, and receive encouragement to live the Christian life in a pagan world.  Paul spends a great deal of time talking of personal relationships and at the end of each letter he greets people by name.

The church, ἐκκλησία, is to be a place of involvement. We are to be active in our care for one another.  The pastor is to know his sheep by name.  He is also to train under-shepherds; and the flock to share for one another.  This care is a standard of excellence which brings health and vibrancy to the congregation.  If one person is hurting, others help.  If a person is in trouble, friends come together to see how the problem can be solved.  We help the sick get well, bind up the brokenhearted, and help people walk out of darkness into light.

We are also to be active in our worship.  Paul tells us to “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” (Eph 5:18-21)

The shepherd in today’s entry of Advent Journeys says, ”Through observation in the field and processing each animal as an individual we can catch problems in the early stages.”  We must take the same care in our churches.  People are more important than sheep.  We must listen to each other each time we come together in order to hear of any needs.  If an individual is not present, we should call (how often does that happen today!) in order to know if the individual is well.  We must be attentive to God’s flock in order to “catch any problems in the early stages.”

God desires churches which are healthy because they make sure their members enjoy intellectual, physical, social and mental health.  Healthy churches are encouraging churches.  They are places broken people go to become whole.  They become known in the community for the miracles worked in individual lives.  And these miracles become contagious.  These churches take full-time dedicated shepherds, who give beyond the normal because of God's love.