Moving Beyond Ritual: Embracing a Deeper Devotional Journey

In our journey of devotional self-discovery, the Bible calls for more than the repetition of rituals. It invites its students into a deeper devotional relationship with it, as Hosea 6:6 declares, “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” This passage reveals the Bible’s yearning for an authentic connection over ceremonial acts, urging us to transcend ritualistic routines for a richer intellectual and spiritual understanding of our devotional experience.

True devotional growth elevates beyond the confines of rituals, surpassing even the insights of professed religious experts and educators. Psalm 119:99 says, “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Unlike rituals that often fail to yield meaningful learning or personal growth, genuine devotion fosters knowledge and application of principles benefiting our living experience.

Understanding Ritual vs. Devotion

Rituals have long played a role in religious traditions, often symbolizing a “sweet savour” to the preferred Deity, as described in Leviticus 3:16. They are performed with the belief that they are pleasing to a Deity and can positively shape and influence that Deity’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. However, Jeremiah 7:22 challenges this notion: “I spake not unto your fathers...concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.” This scripture raises a critical question—if “God” did not command sacrifices, why did Moses introduce them?

In contrast, a living devotion emphasizes personal and spiritual development. Proverbs 11:9 states, “...through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” Devotional growth involves seeking wisdom and understanding, as encouraged in Colossians 1:9: “...be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Unlike rituals, which focuses on outward acts, a real experience with the Bible fosters inward transformation.

The Limitations of Ritual

Rituals, while meaningful in context, can become mechanical, losing their spiritual essence. When faith becomes a matter of routine, we risk missing the deeper purpose of our journey. 2 Timothy 3:7 warns, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This highlights the danger of engaging in religious acts without achieving true understanding.

Moreover, Hebrews 9:9 reveals the inherent limitation of rituals: they cannot “make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.” Reliance on rituals alone can lead to spiritual stagnation, leaving our belief unfulfilled and disconnected from the intended transformative experience.

The Essence of a Devotional Journey

A true devotional journey is grounded in learning, reflection, and personal connection to scripture. Isaiah 1:17 urges believers, “Learn to do well; seek judgment,” while Isaiah 34:16 encourages, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read.” These practices encourage a deeper understanding of the Bible’s will and a more sure spiritual or philosophical connection.

Through consistent study and reflection, we can experience transformative growth. Proverbs 18:1 emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom: “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.” Similarly, 2 Timothy 2:15 advises, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Practical Steps to Transition from Ritual to Devotion

Transitioning from a ritualistic experience to a devotional journey requires intentionality and discipline. Start by cultivating a “sound heart,” as Proverbs 14:30 suggests, and renewing your mindset, as Ephesians 4:23 encourages: “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

Practical Tips for Embracing Devotion:

1. Engage with the Bible Deeply: Read the Bible with the intent to understand and apply its wisdom. Reflect on how passages relate to your personal journey.

2. Cultivate a Reflective Practice: Set aside time for exercising what is understood within the Bible, rather than completing religious tasks.

3. Prioritize Application: Let the wisdom retained and exercised from the Bible expand your understanding. Bring everything learned and experience back to the Bible. Let your insights inform your daily decisions and actions.

Do well

The journey from ritual to devotion is one of devotional growth and transformation. By moving beyond mere routines and embracing a more mentally active and meaningful discipline, we can achieve a richer, more sure connection with the Bible. Reflect on your present spiritual or religious practices—are they merely rituals, or do they inspire internal growth and understanding?

Learn to do well.

1800-Year-Old Megiddo Mosaic Redefines the Jesus Character

The Mosaic That Challenges Christian History

An 1800-year-old mosaic unearthed in Israel’s Jezreel Valley has most definitely surprised the world of archaeology, history, and theology. Known as the Megiddo Mosaic, this artifact predates the Council of Nicea by nearly a century and proclaims “Jesus Christ” as “God.”

This find isn’t just an archaeological marvel; it forces a reevaluation of early Christian beliefs. If pagans, Samaritans, Jews, and Romans already venerated “Jesus” as “divine” in 230 AD, what does this mean for the commonly held narrative that his “divinity” was formalized at Nicea? Constantine, in 325 AD, may have needed a new and useful religion to unite his empire; he may have founded the religion called “Christianity” while also confirming the divinity of “Jesus”; but if that divinity, according to this newly discovered mosaic (230 AD), had already been established before Constantine’s “stamp of approval,” then the actual pagan origins and myth surrounding Jesus needs to be re-evaluated.

What Is the Megiddo Mosaic?

The Megiddo Mosaic is an intricately crafted artifact discovered beneath an ancient prison in Israel. It features geometric patterns, early Christian symbols like two fish, and Greek inscriptions. Most notably, one reads:

"The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial."​ (Espinal, 2024).

This inscription, dating to 230 AD, is the earliest physical evidence of “Jesus” being called "God." Alongside it are dedications to Roman contributors, such as an army officer, highlighting the mosaic’s diverse cultural roots.

Excavation leader Dr. Yotam Tepper, talking about this peculiar site in Israel, noted, “There was an early Christian community here way before Christianity became the official religion” (Sudilovsky, 2022). “Finds from the site area – including remains from a Roman period Jewish village having both Jewish and Samaritan residents, a Roman army legion camp and a Roman-Byzantine city – indicate the presence of diverse cultural, religious and ethnic population groups, he said” (Sudilovsky, 2022).

Why the Megiddo Mosaic Matters

1. Pre-Nicean Worship of Jesus as God: The mosaic predates the Council of Nicea (325 AD), where “Jesus' divinity” was codified into the Nicene Creed. This challenges the notion that institutional Christianity "invented" Jesus' godhood. Instead, it shows that early Christian communities—comprising Jews, Samaritans, and pagans—already revered the Jesus character as “divine.”

2. Involvement of Pagans and Women

• The dedication from Akeptous highlights the significant role of women in early Christianity.

• Contributions from Roman pagans suggest Jesus’ appeal transcended Jewish sectarianism, resonating with broader Roman, Samaritan, and pagan audiences.

3. Archaeological and Theological Significance: Museum of the Bible CEO Carlos Campo called it “the most significant archaeological find since the Dead Sea Scrolls.” As physical evidence, the mosaic bridges the gap between faith traditions and historical fact​ (Espinal, 2024).

The Council of Nicea: Settling the Question of Divinity

Fast forward to 325 AD, where the Council of Nicea gathered to address controversies about Jesus’ nature. The debates were fueled by Arianism, which argued that “Jesus” was a created being and subordinate to “God the Father.” If sticking to the Bible’s mythological system, where Israel’s “God” has no biological children but only creates his host, Arianism is actually the correct position to have, as “Jesus,” just like Michael and Gabriel, and all of the “host of heaven,” would have to also be a created figure. The Nicene Creed countered this by declaring Jesus homoousios—of the same substance as the Father ​(1st counsil)​ (Abogado, 2017).

While Nicea formalized the doctrine of Jesus’ divinity, the Megiddo Mosaic demonstrates that this belief was already established in grassroots Christian communities. The council’s outcomes, then, might reflect a unification of earlier, widespread theological ideas, rather than their invention.

Revisiting Christianity’s Narrative

The Megiddo Mosaic forces Christianity to reflect on its origins. If diverse groups long before the Council of Nicea venerated “Jesus” as “God,” the focus shifts from institutional dogma to the grassroots understanding of early believers, placing the Christian religion into a nuanced pagan religious category. This discovery challenges modern Christians to consider:

• The Role of Early Christian Diversity: Early Christian communities were a blend of Jews, Romans, and pagans. Their theology developed organically, shaped by cultural and historical contexts.

• The Universality of Jesus’ Message: The mosaic reveals Roman pagans were among those venerating Jesus as divine nearly a century before Nicea. The mosaic’s Roman contributors therefore suggest that “Jesus” resonated beyond Jewish boundaries. Christianity's appeal as a universal faith started far earlier than previously believed, and the movement may not have been called “Christianity.”

• The Importance of Women in Early Christianity: Figures like Akeptous demonstrate that women were active participants and benefactors in shaping the early church.

A Rediscovered Beginning

The Megiddo Mosaic is more than an ancient relic—it is a call to revisit Christianity’s foundational narrative. It is a tangible link to early Christian worship practices, predating Christianity’s rise as the Roman Empire’s official religion, revealing an early church that was diverse, inclusive, and far ahead of its time in proclaiming the Jesus character as “divine.”

As this mosaic reminds us, history is not merely written by councils and creeds. This discovery suggests that belief in “Jesus’ divinity” was widespread and predates institutional decrees, pointing to a sure evolution of theology. The more we learn about the Christian religion, the more we are able to understand the spreading of a new and usable pagan deity within not simply the Roman Empire, but within Israel, where this mosaic was found.

Abogado, J. N. (2017). The Anti-Arian Theology of the Council of Nicea of 325. Angelicum, 94(2), 255-286.

Espinal, N. (2024). Israeli prison discovery reveals 1,800-year-old mosaic declaring Jesus as God. Daily Express US. https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/155160/israeli-prison-1800-year-old-mosaic-Jesus-as-God

Sudilovsky, B. J. (2022). Early Christian mosaic to be 'released' from jail, Megiddo Prison move. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-702887

Achieve True Growth: Balancing Wisdom, Knowledge, and Devotional Care

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." – Proverbs 4:7

Our devotional experience is a journey filled with opportunities to grow, both intellectually and spiritually. As we navigate this path, the counsel in 1 Corinthians 8:1 reminds us of an unforgettable truth: "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." While intellectual growth is essential, it must be tempered with the charity of personal devotional care, forming a balanced foundation for true wisdom and understanding.

In this post, we’ll explore the harmony between intellectual and devotional pursuits, revealing their significance and offering practical ways to integrate both in our lives.

The Role of Intellectual Growth

What Is Intellectual Growth?

Intellectual growth refers to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, a critical component of personal development. The Bible praises the value of seeking knowledge, as seen in Proverbs 18:15: "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge."

Benefits of Intellectual Pursuits

Expanding your intellectual capacity enhances problem-solving abilities, boosts creativity, and cultivates a broader perspective on life’s complexities. It empowers you to make informed decisions, face challenges confidently, and continually evolve.

Activities That Foster Intellectual Growth

To grow intellectually, consider:

• Reading: Let the Bible enrich your understanding.

• Studying: Dedicate time to studying and understanding the Bible.

• Reflection: Contemplate life’s deeper questions from the wisdom gained from the Bible.

• Mindful Discussions: Engage with others to share insights and learn from diverse viewpoints.

The Importance of Devotional Development

Understanding Devotional Growth

Devotional development focuses on nurturing one’s spiritual life and relationship with the Bible. As Proverbs 11:9 reveals, "Through knowledge shall the just be delivered." This form of knowledge transcends intellect, reaching the heart and shaping our living experience. A sound heart, as Proverbs 14:30 declares, "is the life of the flesh."

Benefits of Devotional Pursuits

Devotional growth provides inner peace, emotional resilience, and a sure sense of purpose. It centers us amidst life’s chaos, enabling us to discern and approve "things that are excellent" (Philippians 1:10).

Activities That Cultivate Devotional Growth

• Stillness: Follow the call of Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."

• Meditation: Reflect on the Bible’s words, as Psalm 119:15 encourages: "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

• Prayer and Exercise: Pray when necessary; exercise acquired wisdom always.

Finding Harmony Between Intellectual and Devotional Development

Common Ground

Intellectual and spiritual growth are not opposing forces—they complement one another. Knowledge without wisdom can lead to arrogance, while spirituality without understanding may lack depth. True harmony lies in blending the two, as Colossians 1:9 encourages: "Be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

Practical Strategies for Balance

• Set Priorities: Identify what matters most and allocate time accordingly.

• Create Boundaries: Avoid overcommitting to either pursuit at the expense of the other.

• Be Mindful: Regularly evaluate whether your activities align with your higher purpose.

Overcoming Challenges

Common Obstacles

Balancing intellectual and devotional growth is not without its challenges. Time constraints, conflicting priorities, and neglecting the soul’s need for knowledge are common hurdles. As Proverbs 19:2 warns, "That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good."

Solutions and Tips

• Time Management: Use tools like schedules or planners to make time for both intellectual and mindful activities with the Bible.

• Routine Check-ins: Reflect on your progress and adjust as needed.

• Intentional Practice: Incorporate small, consistent habits to build momentum over time.

Find Balance

Balancing intellectual and devotional growth is essential for a fulfilling, purpose-driven devotional experience. The integration of these pursuits equips us to navigate life with wisdom, compassion, and clarity.

Call to Action: Take time this week to reflect on your own intellectual and devotional journey. Are your intellectual and spiritual pursuits in harmony? Meditate on the Bible, challenge your mind, and embrace the harmony that comes from cultivating both realms.

Remember, wisdom is not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about using it with purpose and compassion. Achieve the balance, and you’ll discover a path to true growth.