Greetings, my dear pilgrims. We leave with Paul from Corinth as we travel to Ephesus, which is located in Turkey. Turkey is unique in that a small portion is located in Europe while the majority is in Asia. Ephesus, currently known as Kusadasi, is near the west coast of Asia and is the fourth largest city of the Roman Empire. Its spectacular Roman structures still possess glory two thousand years later. It was a major seaport in Paul’s time for both the Greek world and then the Roman Empire.
Our early morning arrival to Ephesus (Kusadasi)
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. –John 19:25-27 (NIV)
We know that when Jesus was on the cross, He entrusted the care of Mary, His mother, to the beloved disciple, who we believe is John. Jesus, even while suffering, was concerned that His mother would be taken care of after His death; it was an important part of the culture. Continue reading “JOURNEYING WITH PAUL TO EPHESUS”