March 8, 2007

Temples and Living Water

Read: Acts 10:1-8

As we were traveling around Israel, I was impressed with the Roman ruins, and their engineering: in particular, the city of Ceasarea, built by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 B.C. The Roman Governors of Judea lived here to administer to the people.

It was an important sea port on the Mediterranean Sea, with excellent connection to all parts of the Mediterranean world. At that time, the city had about 100,000 inhabitants (now it has about 8,000-10,000) and a large city needs a good water supply. That was provided by a double aqueduct which brought water from two sources, one about 10 km away, and the second about 7km. That was no small feat at the time. Remember, they had no electric pumps. It was all gravity fed, so the slopes had to be precise to accommodate the flow. Herod also built a huge theater with wonderful acoustics, a palace, and a hippodrome in Ceasarea. The hippodrome was about 300 meters long by 50 meters wide, providing seating for about 8,000 people. I could practically see Ben Hur racing his chariot in it.
Also, the city had a small harbor which Herod enlarged by about three times. He considered this his second greatest engineering feat. The greatest was the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem.

Peter was summoned here to preach to Cornelius and his family and friends who had gathered to hear him (Acts 10). Paul was imprisoned here for about two years, before going on to Rome, and began his missionary journeys from here – the first being to Cyprus.

Jack Landin


Isn’t it amazing? How could Herod be so proud of building a Temple for the Lord, but then didn’t even recognize Him when he saw Him?

The Romans were so good at bringing water into cities, but when the Living Water was offered, they saw only Threat -not Promise.

Dear Lord, open our eyes to recognize You when You cross our paths. Help us to see Your Life in our living. Amen.