[Special II] Surveying the Footsteps of the Savior Jesus - Egypt and Nazareth
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September 26, 2010 |
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Bethlehem l Egypt and Nazareth l Galilee l Jerusalem
In order to awaken Israel that is still waiting for the Messiah's coming, Dr. Jaerock Lee performed his 3-year ministry in Israel from July 23, 2007 until September 7, 2009. He completed his 3-year ministry in Israel by conducting a united crusade in Jerusalem of Israel under the title of 'The 2009 International Multi-cultural Festival in Jerusalem.' We are now commemorating the crusade with this special corner of Manmin News and surveying the footsteps of our Savior and Lord Jesus with brief accounts of the Holy Land.
Egypt, the Refuge Land of Jesus the Baby and the Birthplace of Jesus
"So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'" (Matthew 2:14-15)
Egypt is the world's 38th-largest country, and its population centers are concentrated along the narrow Nile Valley and Delta. This means that about 99% of the population uses only about 5.5% of the total land area. The country is located in the northeastern part of Africa, and is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east. Along the Nile are seen mysterious architectures including pyramids and the Sphinx. The Baby Jesus lived in Egypt until King Herod died. What did Jesus see and meditate on while there? The Nile area used to be one of Adam's favorite locations and it is the place where Moses was both rescued and cast out. The St. Sergius Church is in Cairo, in order to commemorate the fact Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus took refuge in Egypt because of the persecution of King Herod.
Nazareth, the Childhood Home of Jesus after Death of King Herod
"So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: 'He shall be called a Nazarene.'" (Matthew 2:21-23)
Nazareth is about 25 kilometers (16 mi) from the Sea of Galilee (17 km as the crow flies) and it is the capital and largest city in the North District of Israel. The Nazareth Range, in which the town lies, is the southernmost of several parallel east-west hill ranges that characterize the elevated tableau of Lower Galilee.
In the area of Nazareth, the virgin Mary heard the words of the angel of the Lord saying, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus" (Luke 1:31). The New Testament speaks of Jesus as 'Jesus of Nazareth' or 'Jesus the Nazarene' (Mark 1:24, 10:47, 16:6; Luke 4:34. 18:37; John 18:5, 7; Acts 2:22, 4:10, 6:14) because Nazareth is His childhood home that He lived in until He began His public ministry. In Acts 22:8, when Paul asked, "Who are You, Lord?" He answered, "I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting." While growing in Nazareth, Jesus always communicated with God through prayers and meditation on the Word in preparation for His 3-year public ministry.
In the city of Nazareth is the Church of the Annunciation that was established at the place the archangel Gabriel annunciated Mary of the birth of Jesus. At the basement of the church is a cave commemorating the annunciation that the archangel Gabriel announced to the virgin Mary Jesus would be born of her. The Church of St. Joseph is 50 meters away from there, commemorating the place of Joseph's works of carpentry.
 
Jesus Prepares for His 3-year Public Ministry in Nazareth
Jesus is the Son of God who is the Word that became flesh, and came to this earth in a human form. While living in Nazareth, Jesus concentrated on having deep communication with God and prepared for His public ministry by prayer and the Word. Many people, and even not just a few believers, think Jesus helped Joseph with various carpentering works. Since Mary understood who Jesus is, however, she would not have let Him help Joseph with carpentering work. When the virgin Mary was pregnant with Jesus appeared before Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, Elizabeth recognized who the child was that Mary was carrying and spoke out in words of prophecy. The virgin Mary didn't treat Jesus as her son but served and cared for Him with love and sincerity.
The truth that Jesus spent His childhood communicating with God through prayer and meditation on the Word of God is confirmed secondhand by Scriptural record beginning in Luke 2:41. When He was 12 years old, Jesus went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Passover along with Joseph and Mary and after the feast Joseph and Mary found on the way back home from Jerusalem that Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem in 3 days and found Jesus in the Temple of God. Jesus was sitting in the midst of the teachers listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. This lets us know how deep and wide His knowledge of the Bible was.
The Ministry in Nazareth was Dr. Jaerock Lee's First Step in His Ministry in Israel
On July 25, 2007, on the 25th anniversary day of Manmin Church's opening, Dr. Jaerock Lee initiated his ministry in Israel at Nazareth. Dr. Lee, while leading the Wednesday evening service at the 'Spirit of Life Church' in Nazareth, said, "When God told me about the mission in Israel a few years ago, He had said that the beginning of my ministry for Israel would occur exactly on the same as the day of the founding of our church. God told me that the ministry in Israel would start on that day. What kind of place is Nazareth? It's the place where Jesus grew up. It's the place where Jesus lived until He began His ministry, and it was where He was always in communication with God and He meditated on the Word of God. It's the place where He prayed with all His energy and fervor for the forthcoming ministry. It's a very meaningful place which captures the traces of Jesus.
Dr. Jaerock Lee proclaimed that the Jesus they had crucified 2,000 years ago is the Savior and the Messiah for whom they are still waiting. On July 27th he had a meeting with local pastors. They were touched at that meeting. They asked him to lead healing meetings at their local churches. During his second visit to Israel, on October 10, he led the second healing meeting at the 'Spirit of Life' Church and delivered the message titled with 'Faith'. It was during the Wednesday evening service, but still the sanctuary was crowded with so many people. It is interesting to note that a few Arab pastors and believers attended the healing meeting, so additional chairs were needed.
On April 20, 2009, a seminar for pastors was held at the 'Spirit of Life' Church. A woman who had cancer was completely healed on the spot. Many pastors in attendance were so amazed at the manifestations of God's power. They came to have true faith and spread the gospel in the cooperation with Manmin Central Church. Later they received the prayer on the handkerchiefs from Dr. Jaerock Lee. They are now performing their ministries more powerfully with the handkerchief Dr. Lee had prayed on.
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