Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, Florida
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him. ~ Matthew 2:3 Doesn’t this verse seem strange? At a time when the world, especially the Jewish world, should’ve been rejoicing over their log-awaited Messiah, they’re disturbed. Why? In the Lexicon (the place where you can get definitions of words used in specific passages), the word ‘disturbed’ or ‘troubled’ as it’s used here, means “to strike one’s spirit with fear or dread”. Again, I have to ask, “Why?” I can understand King Herod’s reluctance to hear that there may be a usurper of his throne, but why ‘all Jerusalem’? According to commentaries I looked up, their conclusion is that the people enjoyed living with what they knew. And second, Herod, although known for his architectural acumen, was also known to be a ruthless and nasty man having executed many, including at least seven members of his own immediate family before this Magi encounter. The people were afraid of how Herod would react to this potential threat to his reign. How often do we become unnerved when the world around us shifts for some reason? What about when someone – or God – tries to usurp our own claim to be king over our own lives, minds and/or bodies? Are we really any different from the people we read about in scripture?
It was a biking/walking day in the Park today, where the gators are much more amiable to having their photograph taken and cypress and palm trees abound.
several pictures of these gorgeous reflections!
No one knows why cypress trees have these growths called ‘knees’. I think it’s good that God still provides us with mysteries we can’t solve. I just decided to take pictures of a few of them.
Whatever it was, it allowed Blaine to pet it. : )
And that’s all I have to say about today. We’re just enjoying our relaxed pace here. Besides, I think you were due for a short post. I know Blaine, my amazing editor in chief is. 😊