Character 101 by Christine Smith
March 23, 2022Fast Track Miracles
March 26, 2022
A KING-SIZE VILLA ON THE SEA
The Roman Villas during the time of Jesus were of extravagant proportions. They had multiple rooms, including servants’ quarters, courtyards, baths, pools, storage rooms, exercise rooms, and gardens. They also had modern comforts such as indoor plumbing and heated floors.
I have friends who own an old Roman-style villa a few miles east of Barcelona. It has an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea. It has two banqueting rooms that each seat 100 guests at tables.
Pontius Pilot, the Roman governor of Israel, lived in Herod’s Palace when he was in Jerusalem, but his primary residence was a seaside villa in Caesarea Maritima.
Who do you think had a bigger palace, Herod or Solomon? Remember, Solomon’s greatness impressed the Queen of Sheba!
In Mat 12:42, Jesus said He was “…greater than Solomon.” The Greek word for greater is Pelion, and it means greater in quantity, quality, superior, and more excellent.
Matthew paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ home. Let’s explore it in sections:
The same day went Jesus out of the house [His house], and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore… (Mat 13:1a)
Isn’t that tremendous? Jesus could walk out of His house and be on the seashore or on a boat. Everyone loves a seaside villa.
By this time, the crowds have grown too large to fit in His mansion. They spilled onto the beach. This was during the era of His popularity when many Jewish people hoped their King would reestablish the greatness of their nation.
See, all the dots are here. They just needed to be connected. Why have the facts been hidden? Who would profit from keeping people in the dark about Jesus’ royal lifestyle?
Religion ignores the wealth of scriptural evidence concerning Jesus’ house, and instead focuses on an assumption twisted from a single, misinterpreted statement about fox holes and bird nests!
It’s wrong to assume that Jesus didn’t own a home because He once told a scribe, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Jesus wasn’t saying He didn’t have a home. He was saying His ministry kept Him away from home.
I understand what that means. I’ve lived out of a suitcase for most of my life. But I’m not homeless. Anyone having an itinerate ministry or a job that keeps them on the road can understand the rigors of constant travel. For the larger part of my ministry, I was on the road more than 200 days a year (I still travel, but not that much).
Jesus had a home-base in Capernaum, but Kingdom business took Him throughout the regions of Galilee, Judah, Jordan, and Samaria:
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. (Luke 8:1)
His itinerary included Bethsaida, Bethany, Betharaba, Bethphage, Caesarea, Cana, Capernaum, Chorazin, Decapolis, Gadera, Gennesaret, Jericho, Jerusalem, Magdala, Nain, Nazareth, Philippi, Sidon, Tiberias, and Tyre, “… and every city and village.”
That’s a busy schedule. However, as the King of the Jews, it was important that he visit all His subjects in His kingdom.
Here’s a question for you: Is there a difference between being away from home and being homeless?
This blog is one of a series of excerpts of my manuscript called Codex Rex — The Book of the King. Your comments and questions will help me improve the manuscript before publication.
Larry Huggins is a father, a husband, a pastor and a missionary, an author, and a broadcaster. He has traveled to scores of nations, planting churches and bible schools, and conducting seminars and evangelistic crusades.
2 Comments
Fascinating and unique research into the real life of Jesus! Dallas Jenkins, Creator, Director and Producer of “The Chosen” series surely would have benefited from your insights and research Pastor Larry.
Pastor Larry, I’m enjoying your Biblical research about Jesus not being homeless. If, I may point out another misconception and misrepresented fact about Jesus, which took place not long after his birth when the three Magi was sent by King Herod to find him. Since our childhood, the make-shift crib, a manger made of wood, filled with hay, surrounded by smelly stable animals, no heat, was the place where the three Magi found Mary and Jesus. This scene has been a household fixture beginning with the Advent season, up until Christmas day, even after. A modest decoration,manifested in some form on home mantels, home/church lawns, church celebratory live pagents, and on Christmas cards for many years.
I found in Matthew 2:11 which stated, “when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, fell down, and worshipped him!” The Magi (the wise men) saw Jesus when he was a young toddler, a few years old, in a home, not in a stable. May I divert for a moment. The shepards, who were in a nearby field, were the first to receive a Holy visitation by an Angel from God, declaring the reason for the signs they witnessed. That’s found in Luke 2:7-16. God used them to broadcast the birth of the child, found in Luke 2:17-21, which was before Jesus circumcising eight days later.
Now, back to the Magi. During that era when there was an event to be celebrated or someone to be honored, people brought gifts that filled rooms; due to the abundance, some were even placed outside, i.e. birds, live stock. So, the Magi, presenting Mary with a few boxes or gifts on behalf of Jesus was totally absurd for that time. I’m quite sure the king included gifts for Mary and Joseph, as well. According to Matthew 2:1-7-9,11, King Herod could have sent spies (that’s my thinking; because that till today has not changed) to locate the Christ child’s birth which was boadcasted by the three wise men who saw the star, but this would have raised peoples suspicions. After much discourse with his wise counsel, even hearing that this was written by the prophet, “for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” It would be an insult to inquire about someone so esteemed by a prophet of God and honored by the heavens, by sending a mere spy. So, he sent the wise men, the Magi, with an armed caravan, fit to honor a ruler to appear as if he’s honoring the sign and birth. Large chests filled with treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh (very valuable spices). See, these treasures came from the king’s surplus which housed the best of the best. Only pure, flawless objects and items are found there, like precious stones for jewelry, art, decorative manuscripts, etc. God used King Herod’s evil intentions to provide for and furnish the lifestyle of Jesus to come.
This was a wealth transfer from God to Mary and Joseph for their obedience and trust in Him. This is just my thought, yet I see Joseph and Mary as a type of Adam and Eve. The way God wanted and intended Eden to be for us, with the assistance of Angels; they helped pave the way. Therefore, Jesus would not be homeless for the rest of his life.