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Israel Diary Caesarea
Caesarea is the port city that Herod the Great built. His goal was to build a port that would be the equal of Alexandria. He named the city after his benefactor, Augustus Caesar.
This is a wonderful site to visit. Caesarea is so visual and stunning. The Roman Theater is magnificently restored. The theater dates to the time of Jesus and Pontius Pilate and would seat 5,000 people. Just a short walk up the coast is the Crusader City. It has a dry moat, and a gatehouse with gothic vaulting. Inside, you are in a large fortified town from the Crusader Period. It covers only a small part of the great Herodian/Roman City. The Crusader City had a small port, which is partially visible today.
Inside the Crusader City are some of the remains of the original port and wharf of Caesarea. Paul sailed from this port.
Between the Crusader City and the Roman Theater the archaeologists are beginning to uncover a lot more of this port city. They have identified Herod’s home that was built out into the Sea. There is an oval racetrack, government buildings, shops, a beautiful street, and many other things that one would find in a major city. All of it has been under sand for centuries. Caesarea is a forgotten place that embodied the dreams of at least two major groups of people, Herod and his folk and the Crusaders.
Matthew 6:19 says, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt." I always think of this verse when I am at Caesarea. Caesarea is a beautiful place that is no longer alive with people or trade. The dreams of many were destroyed here because they placed their faith and trust in the wrong things. Jesus tells us to be careful how we live our lives. We are encouraged to make the Lord first and to pattern our lives as His Word directs. When we fail to do this we are investing in things that pass away.
You will never be the same after you visit Israel, the Land of the Bible. ©mikeclay.com, 1999 |
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