1986 saw a record and drastically low season of rainfall in the Galilee region.  But that didn’t bother Moshe and Yuval Lufan, two amateur archaeologists whose family had been fishermen on the Sea of Galilee for generations.  With the water far from the shore line, it gave the brothers time to explore the lake bed in hopes of making a discovery and boy did they!   They found what appeared to be the remains of an old boat and called the Israeli Antiquities Authority which conducted further testing on the wood and confirmed that indeed, this was of historic significance by dating it to the first century A. D.  A team of archaeologists from the IAA, the Ginosar Kibutz where the Yuvals lived and volunteers from all over the world worked over a 12-day span to remove the delicate vessel from its muddy bed.  They did so by carefully digging around the boat and replacing the earthen cradle with a fiberglass and spray-foam one.  Once removed, the boat was then submerged in a wax bath for 12 years so that it would be able to go on display without destroying the ancient wood.  It is now housed in its own museum at the Ginosar Kibbutz and it truly is an amazing artifact to see.  While it may not be a boat used by Peter, Andrew, James or John, it is most certainly fashioned the same way as one they would have used.  With a length of 27 feet and width of 7 ½ feet wide, and only 4.3 feet deep, it explains why seasoned fishermen like the aforementioned disciples would have been concerned when one of the Sea of Galilee’s infamous squalls kicked up.  (See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Galilee_Boat for more information.)

          The Sea of Galilee is actually a misnomer.  The “sea” contains no salt water as does its neighbor to the south, the Dead Sea.  It is also very small as far as the size of a sea should be.  But it has several other names which are more accurate- Lake Gennesaret (Greek) or Lake Kinnor (Hebrew) which describe its harp-like shape and the Sea of Tiberias after the largest city in the region, Tiberias, which was named after the Roman emperor who ruled from A. D. 14 to 37.  The northwestern corner where the “Jesus Boat” (a. k. a. The Ancient Galilean Boat) was discovered had several cities connected to the fishing industry in Jesus’ day- Capernaum, Bethsaida and Tabgha.

          It took a special kind of personality to run a fishing business.  One had to not only know the habits of fish and the best time to catch them, a fisherman also needed to understand the weather of the region.  While it was mostly pleasant there a good portion of the time, the Sea of Galilee was also known for its tempestuous storms.  These dangerous squalls were stirred up by the wind as it traveled through gorges known as “scarps” which fed into the sea’s basin.  It was not unlikely that even a seasoned veteran could be caught off-guard when one of these storms picked up (see Mt. 14:22-27; Lk. 8:22-25).  When Jesus set up His ministry in Capernaum He was settling in the heart of the fishing industry- an interesting location for One who saw Himself as the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11-18).  But it is here along these fruitful shores that Jesus calls His first disciples- also a twist as most rabbis of the day were sought out by their students and not the other way around.  Jesus saw something in these hard-working men and they saw something in Him.

           Matthew notes that the dialogue was rather short and sweet.  We learn from John’s Gospel that Andrew and Peter may have been familiar with Jesus’ ministry in the area (Jn. 1:35-42).  But what Matthew finds as noteworthy is the immediacy with which Peter and Andrew respond.  We get the sense that once Jesus says, “Follow Me,” they drop what they are doing and do so.  The response is the same from James and John who even leave their father behind to take care of the rest of the nets!  Thankfully, with family-run businesses like most of those in the Galilee region were, this was not as rude as it sounds.  But it does indicate the power of “the Call”.   These men understood they were being invited to not only take part in a grand mission, but that this journey was going to change them.  Jesus offered no destination or distance, but by trusting Him step by step they would arrive wherever He determined to go.  Little did they know it would take them to Jerusalem and Jesus to the cross.

          Jesus has called each one of us to “come and follow Him”. Sometimes the call is dramatic and spectacular, while at other times the call is quiet and simple.  Jesus’ call matches the nature and needs of the person He is calling.  Some may need a more emotional call; some may need a more rational one.  What matters the most is your response to the call.  Is Jesus calling?  How will you answer?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            Most homes have a calendar hanging somewhere on the wall.  Where is yours?  I actually have several scattered around my home- one the refrigerator in the kitchen, one by the computer and one in my dining room.  The latter was a gift from my younger son when he was in high school.  And unlike those in the printed format, this one is made of wood.  As a perpetual calendar, with little tiles that you can slide around to coincide with the month and days, it not only is functional, it is decorative as well.  Specialized tiles highlight holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Most calendars highlight well-known holidays such as those previously mentioned but a number of them take note of eclectic and quirky holidays too.  For example, March 3rd is “If Pets had Thumbs Day”, March 14th is “National Potato Chip Day”; the 30th is “Take a Walk in the Park” day, the 27th is “Quirky Country Music Song Title Day” and the 22nd (my favorite) is “National Goof-off Day”!  

          The Christian calendar has significant days as well.  Among them are Epiphany (the visitation of the Wisemen), Pentecost (the birth of the church), and Ash Wednesday which inaugurates the season of Lent.  It appears from the writings of the early Church that the observance of Lent most likely began sometime in the 4th century.  By the 5th century Lent was a permanent fixture in the liturgical calendar.  During this time acts of penance and fasting emphasized the fallen condition of mankind- both personal and corporate.  Early Christian writings show that the church grappled with rehabilitating those who had fallen into serious sin.  A public demonstration of repentance became the outward symbol of an inward turning away from sin.  In the days of Augustine and Jerome public penance was considered more therapeutic than a form of punishment, although in our day and age it appears harsh and demoralizing.
The date of Ash Wednesday is determined by the date of Easter and can fall on our calendars any time between February 3rd to March 10th.  Several denominations share the practice of placing ashes on the forehead to mark this somber day (Catholics, Anglicans, Lutheran, and some Methodists).  The length of Lent is derived from the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan, therefore many devout observers of Lent will also fast, pray and abstain from things of pleasure during this time.  In this light Ash Wednesday becomes a call to worship through self-examination, repentance, prayer, Bible reading, self-denial, meditation on the life of Christ and His death, and of giving of oneself to those who suffer or are in need.  The ashes placed on the forehead during the Ash Wednesday service echo the words of Gen. 3:19, “You are dust and to dust you shall return” and they are worn until they wear off.

          Ashes are widely used as a symbol of mourning throughout Scripture (Gen. 18:27; Job 2:8; Jonah 3:5-10; Lk. 10:13).  Ashes could also signify repentance (Job 42:3-6).  In Scripture, the act of repenting carries both a physical reality and a cerebral reality.  Simply put, it is a change both in action and in the mind.  Richard’s Complete Bible Dictionary defines repentance as, “A deep, radical change of both perspective and commitment, resulting in a moral and spiritual transformation”.  In the Old Testament this was pictured in the use of the word shuv which meant “to turn” and was often used in conjunction with the prophets’ call for Israel to turn away from idols and turn to God (Is. 45:22; Jer. 18:11; Ezk. 14:6).  John the Baptist and Jesus called for similar acts of repentance (Mt. 3:2, 4:17; Mk. 1:4, 14-15; Lk. 13:3, 5) as did Peter concerning the Gospel (Acts 2:38, 3:19).
 
          Repentance is the starting point of the Gospel.  Both John the Baptist and Jesus emphasized it as an act of faith (Mt. 3:1-2; 4:17; Mk. 1:14-15; Lk. 3:1-3).  In Paul’s writings, metanoia, or repentance is a life changing decision.  When someone repents it changes the course or direction of his/her life.  Although it contains some emotion (2 Cor. 7:10) it is more closely associated with the mental recognition that God’s gift of salvation is greater than any other offer life presents which brings about saving faith (Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25; 2 Pet. 3:9).  As Richards puts it, “True faith in God will always be expressed by turning from evil and turning to the Lord.”  Ash Wednesday reminds us that we all struggle with our mortality and sin.  It is a great time to examine our priorities and the way we spend our time and money.  It is also a time to remember the price that was paid for our salvation and that the best decision we can make in life is to put Jesus before everything else.  Lent is more than a time period to plan Easter travels, holiday meals or a couple weeks where we give up something we love.  It is a time to test our soul and see if it’s heading in the right direction.   

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/

            They stood in an arena made of coarse sandy soil and little vegetation; opponents, each a formidable foe, but one was more powerful than the other.  As quickly as it started, the first round was over.  The arena morphed to a beautiful city with one building in particular glistening in the sun.  Another round came and went in a swift exchange.  And then as quickly as in the previous change of scene, the arena moved to a mountaintop which gave the opponents an amazing view.  Would the third-round end in the same way as the first two?  It was a tense and dangerous competition but this battle was not fought with sword or spear.  It was a war of words and the Victor would prove His understanding of God’s Word was far deeper and more truth-filled than the crafty foe who was trying with all the twisted ingenuity he could muster to thwart the mission his opponent had come to fulfill.  Yes, you have surmised correctly if you think I am illustrating the temptation of Jesus by Satan, a battle which took place shortly after Jesus met up with John the Baptist by the Jordan River.

            If you’re thinking that this scenario is somewhat familiar and harkens back to the Garden of Eden you would be correct.  In fact, this is a role Satan has played since the dawn of Creation.  The synonymous names of Devil (the English equivalent to the Greek designation in the NT) and Satan (in the Hebrew of the OT) both mean “accuser” or “adversary”, reminding us of the courtroom scene in Job 1.  Another name, Lucifer (Is. 14:11-15), means “light-bearer”.  It stands to reason then that the adversary in the Garden, the adversary to God in Heaven, and the adversary in Jesus’ temptation would twist the “light-bearing” words of God to accomplish his goal.  He was somewhat successful in Heaven (as Scripture notes some angels rebelled alongside him).  He was successful in the Garden.  But he was not successful in the desert.

            Jesus’ temptation not only reminds us of the failure of Adam, but also the failure of Israel when they wandered in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.  While Satan’s temptation in the desert with Jesus are aimed directly at the role He would play as the Messiah, Jesus is faced with similar questions the Israelites failed to answer correctly on their journey to their future home.  Who will provide you with food?  Who will be your guide?  Whom will you serve?  Like Adam, the Israelites chose to believe the words of the Tester and acted accordingly.  But Jesus answered differently.  Satan’s crafty challenges are not based on doubt.  Many translations read, “IF you are the Son of God…”.  But they could also “SINCE You are the Son of God…”.  The ultimate challenge then becomes whether or not Jesus will stay true to the course His Father has set for Him.  And He does.

            Matthew’s account of the temptation of Jesus includes a command the others do not (see Mt. 4:10), but they are echoed in James 4:7 signifying the power of God’s Word in any and every situation where we find ourselves tempted.  As we see in this battle the devil is quite capable of quoting Scripture to make sin look even more plausible (2 Cor. 11:14).  The Scripture is taken out of context and Jesus puts it into proper perspective with a quote of His own.  Jesus, from the very beginning of His earthly ministry and up to its completion on the cross, is portrayed as the “more powerful One” standing guard over His Father’s plan and obedient to the Scripture itself.  The use of Scripture to thwart the attacks of Satan is a significant point which James also speaks of in Js. 4:7, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”.  There is nothing stronger at repelling temptation than the Word of God.

            Temptation is a part of life.  Most of the temptations will encounter are due to our own short-comings (Js. 1:13-14).  But Scripture also reassures us that there is no temptation that we encounter which does not have a route of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).  Peter warns that Satan’s attempts to pull us off-track are like a lion on the hunt (1 Pet. 5:8).  If he can entice us to follow our own ways, the guilt and shame we will suffer as a result of recognizing our sin can make us ineffective and unproductive in the kingdom of God- something he does not want to see grow (Lk. 8:13).  Jesus’ temptation demonstrates to us that we do not have to be weak and ineffective.  We are not bound to fail every time we are tempted to stray from the life our Heavenly Father wants for and desires from us.  Instead, we have a formidable weapon in the Word.  Jesus understands this.  He has been where we are (Heb. 2:18; 4:14-16).  Therefore, if we are to follow His example, we should immerse ourselves in the Word (Ps. 119:105-112) and wield it as our first line of defense when temptation comes our way (Ps. 18:30; Eph. 6:10-11, 17; Heb. 4:12).  Temptation is often a test of purity, much like a metallurgist uses heat to test the purity of gold and silver.  If you’re immersed in God’s word, according to James, you’ll be able to take the heat (Js. 1:2-4).  Jesus did- and so can you.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com/, https://www.linked.com/in/annhlefevre/, https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre/