Lay of the land
Civilization starts here
Civilization starts here
Civilization began here
Hebrews 4:1-11, Casual English Bible
Civilization began with communities and cities forming along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in Iraq and Iran. That's what scholars theorize today. The expanding region grew to become known as the Fertile Crescent. It extends from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. This region encompasses modern-day countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. The Fertile Crescent is called so because of its rich soil, which enabled early humans to settle and cultivate crops. Some of the earliest known civilizations in this area include Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. These civilizations emerged around 4000-3000 BCE and are known for their advancements in agriculture, writing, art, and architecture.
RESTING IN GOD'S PEACE
1God promised to welcome his people, our ancestors, into a place of rest. God stands by that promise yet today. So, don’t miss out on it. 2We heard the good news from God. So did they, but it didn’t do them any good. They didn’t put any faith in what they heard. 3Those of us who believe get to go into God’s place of rest. Unbelievers won’t. As he once said, “I became angry. So, I made a promise. ‘They’ll not rest in peace at my house.’” God finished his work long ago, when he created the world. 4Somewhere God once said this about the seventh day of creation: “By dawn of Day Seven, God finished his work. He rested. No work that day.” 5But he also said, “They’ll not rest in peace at my house.”People need to trust God
64:6. There are people who need the rest God offers. Some who heard God’s messages in the past decided not to do what he wanted. They didn’t make it into God’s resting place. 7So God selected another time. That time is now. Through the ancient words of David, he says to us what he said to our ancestors long ago. “If today you hear his voice, don’t stubbornly ignore it.” 8Joshua couldn’t manage to lead our ancestors into a peaceful place of rest. God picked another time to make the offer. 9That means there’s a resting place yet to come—with a complete, Sabbath day kind of rest. 10Anyone who makes it there can stop working, just as God did when he finished creation. 11People, let’s do everything we can to make it into that rest.To compare other Bible versions: Bible Gateway
Video John 3:16
Video John 3:16
Video John 3:16.
John 3:16, short video reading
Video of John 3
Video of John 3
Video of John 3.
John 3, a reading of the chapter
Jesus, in Cana, heals Capernaum boy
Jesus, in Cana, heals Capernaum boy
Jesus, in Cana, heals boy in Capernaum
John 4:46-54, Casual English Bible
Jesus goes to Cana
Jesus went back to the Galilean village of Cana, where he had turned water into wine. Further ahead, in the village of Capernaum, a government official had a son who was critically ill. When the official heard that Jesus had returned to Galilee from Judea, he went to meet him. He told Jesus that his son was about to die, and he begged Jesus to come to the village and heal him. Jesus told the people, “You folks aren’t going to believe in me until you see proof. You need miraculous signs.” The official told Jesus, “Please, sir, come with me before my little boy dies.”Long-distance healing
Jesus told the man, “Go back home. Your son will live.” The man believed him and went back home. On his way home, some of his servants rushed to meet him. They brought news that his son was alive and doing well. 5he man asked what time his son started to get better. They said, “Yesterday at about one o’clock in the afternoon. That’s when the fever broke.”Converted by the miracle
Immediately, the father realized that was the very hour Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live.” The man became a believer because of this. So did everyone in his household. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did. He did it after returning to Galilee from Judea.Jesus, in Cana, heals boy in Capernaum
Samaritan woman at the well
Samaritan woman at the well
Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Model of Jerusalem
Model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus Christ, with the Temple, Fortress of Antonia, Sheep Gate, Pools of Bethesda, Pool of Siloam.Temple
The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus was built by King Herod, beginning between 20-18 BCE. The Temple was a major cultural, religious, and political center of the Jewish people. It was located on the Temple Mount, a large platform of stone that covered an area of about 36 acres.
The Temple was made up of various components. This included the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the Women's Courtyard, the Court of Israel, and the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark had been lost to invaders by the time of Jesus. The Temple was also the location for sacrifices and offerings to God.
During Jesus' time, the Temple was a bustling religious center, and Jews and pilgrims from all over the world traveled to Jerusalem to worship there. The Temple was where Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers and the dove-sellers. It was also where he encountered the teachers of the law and had several notable debates with them.
Sacred city
Jerusalem itself was a city of great significance and sacredness to the Jewish people. The city was first established as the capital of Israel by King David and was the site of the First Temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. After the Jews returned from Babylonian exile, they rebuilt the Temple and the city.
During Jesus' time, Jerusalem was under Roman rule and was a bustling cosmopolitan city. It was home to several parties and sects, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. The city was also an important trading hub, with traders and merchants coming from all over the Roman Empire to do business there.
Tense town
Despite its importance and significance, Jerusalem was also a city that experienced conflict and tension during the time of Jesus. The Jewish people longed for independence and freedom from Roman rule, and there were several revolts that took place both during and after Jesus' lifetime.
So, the Jewish Temple and Jerusalem in the time of Jesus were central to Jewish culture, religion, and politics. The Temple was a significant religious center, and Jerusalem was a bustling city that was at the heart of many historical events. Together, these two places provide important context and insights into the life and teachings of Jesus.
Map of Jesus walking on water
Map of Jesus walking on water
Jesus walks on water
Model of Jerusalem Temple where Jesus taught
Model of Jerusalem Temple where Jesus taught
Jesus teaches at Temple
Traveling advice from Jesus’ brothers
