Israel Familiarization Trip

January 4-15, 2016

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Walking where Jesus walked

Today was the first day that we got to walk where Jesus walked. This was very exciting and humbling at the same time. It was exciting because the Bible moved from print to a visual reality. It was humbling because we got to see where Jesus performed the miraculous. We started with a boat journey across the Sea of Galilee and were able to see where various stories of in the Gospels took place. One highlight was hearing how crazy the storms can get on the lake with wind blowing in different directions and sand making visibility very hard. It was a reminder that Jesus calms the fiercest of storms.

From there we went to Mt. Arbel to see the geographical layout surrounding the Sea of Galilee. While we were up there we took some time to be silent before the Lord. We were reminded that Jesus often withdrew to spend time in prayer connecting with His Father. From there we got to see the city of Magdala where Mary Magdalene was from. Magdala is a recent discovery that revealed a first century synagogue among other things . It is highly likely that Jesus taught at that synagogue.

Mount Arbel

Mount Arbel (Hebrew: הר ארבל‎‎, Har Arbel) is a mountain in The Lower Galilee near Tiberias in Israel, with high cliffs, views of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, trails to a cave-fortress, and ruins of an ancient synagogue. Mt. Arbel sits across from Mount Nitai; their cliffs were created as a result of the Jordan Rift Valley and the geological faults that produced the valleys.

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The rest of the day was busy, we looked at how communities lived and functioned together during the time of Jesus. It was eye opening to see how close everyone live to each other. Community and hospitality was very important to them and has become a lost practice in the Christian Church. In Capernum we got to see where Peter lived and Jesus taught at the synagogue. The last sight we saw was at Tabga where Jesus forgives Peter and commissions him to feed Christ church (the sheep). In Summary we saw where Jesus did ministry, learned how communities acted as families and were reminded of how loving and patient Jesus is with us.

Eric Burns
Lead Pastor at Laurelglen Bible Church
Bakersfield California

Tabgha

Two miles west of Capernaum is what Josephus referred to as the “well of Capernaum.” Undoubtedly a popular fishing spot of the locals because of its famous “seven springs,” Heptapegon (today the name has been corrupted to Tabgha) is the traditional location for several episodes in Jesus’ ministry.

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journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz2j6Ax9xrWdSnqe_ret.jpg|Rich teaching on the beach at Tabgha with the late afternoon sun on the hills of Gadera across the Sea of Galilee.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz254wjC5ehP6rlr_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz25B1fzxcZUcIG4_ret.jpg|The black Basalt rock shown is the original wall and floor of the synagogue of Jesus time in Capernaum.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz18Je4TDTs8viDe_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz18NF2nRGjp3ufi_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz18tKXXbwhcmcOg_ret.jpg|The synagogue at Capernaum. Capernaum is where Jesus moved when he left Nazareth. This synagogue stands on the 1st Century synagogue. We're here on the Sabbath day as the New Testament declares Jesus came and healed a man possessed by the Devil.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz0ldUlCvSmlo6fL_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/Dz0lEXcXQTgwofma_ret.jpg|The synagogue at Chorazin that is 4th century AD. The one from Jesus' day likely stood here as well. Bet Kenesset is the Hebrew for synagogue.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyZNqEKAeNIdkIxQ_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyZN3oqWvf2Tz9CO_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyZNZVfty7m7hccJ_ret.jpg|The town of Chorazin - 3 mi from Capernaum in the Galilee. A place that not only had an industry of Olive oil, but they also made Olive presses from the abundance of Basalt rocks in the area. This is one of the towns Jesus pronounced woes on because of their unbelief.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyYlm9ZBqX1XXo8c_ret.jpg|The synagogue at Migdala discovered is one of only 7 First century synagogues ever discovered.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyXZPxv8RfNajTUV_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyXZWrsJInByzf9Y_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyXZUv7m7BmG3jiP_ret.jpg|At the ancient town of Magdala - home of Mary Magdalene. Archaeologists have discovered 1 of 7 First century AD synagogue.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyWtVQ0rplMJYFWk_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyWtgOuhb6fF01pg_ret.jpg|On top of Mt Arbel with a commanding view of the Galilee. We saw Hyrax, also called Coney. Zoom in to see the Coney.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyW2RaXKRMLOVO2v_ret.jpg|A view of Galilee from above Tiberias.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyVkLentjhUx6ZE9_ret.jpg|Ronan shows us the 2000 year old boat at the Sea of Galilee found in the 1990's. This is the type of fishing boat Peter and his family would have used.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyVbDfwX3FIrRjRD_ret.jpg|At the West side of the Lake at the Jesus Boat museum. Amazed at how the Lake has receded due to drought.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyUGVN0SvfGHNYii_ret.jpg|Looking back toward Gadera from the West on the lake

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyUg8CGtEQYzV0NT_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyUguSTjfnOGK6gE_ret.jpg|The cities of Tiberias and Magdala in that order. Mary Magdalene's name identifies Magdala as her home.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyU8DL0C1YNNaT0Z_ret.jpg|Snow on Mt Hermon visible after our rain if you zoom in.

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyTVqCiW9E5kkJc5_ret.jpg|Shabbat morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyU6Gl9Gpb50Ur5w_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyU67q86tGYh2xI9_ret.jpg

journi|Steve Williams|https://da8d58xb1ptvq.cloudfront.net/picture/DyU6gZq0ylCe4SS9_ret.jpg|Views from the Lake

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