The Passing of the Mantle

Previously, we surmised that Jesus remained in close contact with John the Baptizer following his baptism. He may have continued his fellowship with John and his followers for one year. Jesus eventually returned home and waited to begin his ministry.

According to Mark 1:14-15, John's arrest served as the impetus for the launching of Jesus' ministry. "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.'"

John had delivered his final proclamation. He had told the truth about Herod Antipas one time too many. Off to Machaerus, he was sent. "The time is fulfilled..."

Now, Jesus stepped on the stage called Galilee. The mantle of leadership had been passed on, much like when Elisha took up the mantle of Elijah (II Kings 2). The one who must decrease had given way to the One who was to come. "The kingdom of God has come near..."

The ministry of Jesus officially began with the passing of John from the scene. The prophet of God had faithfully prepared the way forward.

The Pool of Siloam

Today, I visited the Pool of Siloam at the southern end of the City of David. The recent excavations drew me here.

In the time of Jesus, the Pool of Siloam served thousands of pilgrims and citizens of Jerusalem. It appears now that one of the uses of the pool was as a mikveh. Pilgrims could take their ritual baths before ascending to the Temple.

The Gospel of John relates two incidents where the pool was the medium of God's activity. The first occasion is found in John 7:37-39 and takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles. On the last day of the festival, the High Priest would descend to the pool and dip water for the libation offering. Mixing water and prayers upon his return to the Temple precincts, the anticipated result was the early rains in October. According to John, Jesus takes this opportunity to proclaim: "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me..."

The second incident recorded by John (9:1-12) is the healing of a man born blind. Using mud made with saliva, Jesus commands that the man wash in the Pool of Siloam. There follows a rather long account of the consternation of the Pharisees, an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the miracle, and a denunciation by Jesus of the religious leaders' spiritual blind-

ness. The implication is that Jesus is the light of the world for all who have eyes to see.

What I discover today is the newly excavated Herodian street from the time of Jesus. I am moved by the knowledge that this is the street that the High Priest and the blind man would have traveled. Almost certainly, Jesus came this way too!

Even more, I am stirred to faith in God's provision. As long ago in this place God provided rain for his people in season and sight for a blind man, so God still provides for the people of this land and for me.

Let's Revisit Capernaum!

Earlier, I offered Capernaum as one of my favorite sites to visit. A popular magazine recently listed the town as one of the ten most important archaelogical sites in the Holy Land.

Let's revisit Capernaum! I enjoy everything about the site from strolling along the long approach to the entrance, to the smells of springtime from the adjacent fields, to the impressive remains of the synagogue, to the house of Peter's mother-in-law, to the hovering modern church.

If not a favorite of Jesus, Capernaum was certainly the town of choice as his headquarters for the Galilean ministry. When the gospel writers tell us that Jesus left Nazareth and took up residence in Capernaum, the move is significant. Obviously, Capernaum was larger than Nazareth and more strategically located on the International Highway. You might say that the world passed by the town, making it easier for the gospel of the kingdom of God to be proclaimed to the nations.

Perhaps less obvious, the transition to Capernaum marked a shift in Jesus' interpretation of Torah and an embrace of a more inclusive Judaism. Capernaum's synagogue followed the teachings of Hillel.

Capernaum provided great opportunities for Jesus and his ministry! The events and his teachings there hold promise for our instruction and future discipleship.