Fit for a King?

Domus Augusti in Rome

Upon my return from Rome last October, I read of the opening of several rooms of Caesar Augustus' house on Palatine Hill to the public.  The beautiful frescoes have been restored at great cost.  How unfortunate for me to have missed the announcement and the opportunity to visit.

Further reading of the article described Augustus' primary residence as modest in  size and elegance.  The explanation for such a dwelling was that it typified the transition underway in Roman society to more traditional and sensible values under Augustus.

While impressed with this explanation as to a house "fit for a king and the new Roman empire," I am even more moved by another king's dwelling hundreds of miles away in Nazareth of Palestine. Houses in 1st century Nazareth were caves.  They can be visited when visiting the Church of the Annunciation.  Just ask at the gift shop for Eduard, the museum curator.

Jesus perhaps grew up in one such cave.  After all, he was born according to an early tradition in a cave in Bethlehem and laid in a manger.  It does not require a stretch of the imagination to see such a house as an even better "fit for the king and the coming kingdom of God."

Augustus and Jesus will be forever linked (Luke 2:1-2).  Their kingdoms stand in sharp contrast.  This contrast may best be seen in their "palaces."  Each can be judged "fit for a king."  

First Century Home in Nazareth