Calming the Storms

Our trip through the Holy Land thus far has been life changing, and today followed suit. We began our morning before dawn, leaving our hotel, the Kibbutz Ein-Gev. Our morning’s first activity was a surprise. Jokingly we were told that we would have an opportunity to experience the “kibbutz” life (a kibbutz originally referred to a community farm formed by Zionist immigrants returning to live and work together, but now its a general term for a house) and help in picking bananas from the fields, or by milking the kibbutz’ dairy cows. However, instead what awaited was an unforgettable boat ride on the beautiful Sea of Galilee.

The early morning light was still dim on the horizon, and obscured even more by fog and light showers hanging over the sea. We all huddled together as the boat headed out towards deeper waters. There is no better way to start one’s day than to read from the word in the very place where Jesus calmed the storm and walked upon the water. Aside from some very serious dancing and all around silliness, the magnitude of where we were and its significance is something that is still with me even now. A boat ride on the sea of Galilee, what a way to start a day.

From there we headed to an excavated town in the region of the Golan Heights. Here we were shown wonderful examples of reconstructed dwellings from the first century and how a family of that day might have lived. Our conversations in this place certainly brought to mind our own closeness with family, and how important and fulfilling setting aside time for family is in our busy and hectic everyday lives.

From here we headed out towards Tel Hazor. For the second day in a row on our trip, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and the weather from here on in the day was amazing! Tel Hazor was another awesome archaeological site to explore. One of the largest in Northern Israel, the scope and magnitude of it all was astonishing. Even with so little of the city having been excavated, the important role that Hazor played during Biblical times is clear.

We then came to the region of Israel known as the Hula Valley. The thing that will forever stick with me about this region was how picturesque and beautiful it was with lush green plantations and snow capped peaks lining the horizon. On the far side of the Hula Valley we could see the highest mountain in all of Israel, Mount Hermon. It was odd to remind myself that we were in the heart of the Middle East while looking up at the giant, snow-covered mountain, but as we have come to learn, every small region of Israel is completely unique.

Driving up through the foothills of Mount Hermon we travelled further north to the Biblical city of Dan, or Laish. Our excursion to the top of the Tel had us hiking ancient stone paved trails which meandered alongside a rushing creek pouring from the spring of Dan. Cold mountain air, mixed with the long awaited sunshine made for a wonderful stroll through a site so thoroughly steeped in Biblical history. Before leaving Tel Dan we were all treated to see an alternate gate to the ancient city of Laish, called Abraham’s gate. It dates back to a period when Abraham might have first entered the kingdom of Israel from the north. I was in awe to be standing at the base of steps that could have very likely been where Abraham himself once stood.

A short ways away we travelled to the ruins of Caesarea Philippi, another source of spring water that eventually flows into the Jordan River. As far north as our group could travel without crossing into Lebanon, this city stood as a reminder of where our faith and church began. It was in this place that Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah to his disciples. Telling them not to reveal His identity as the Son of God, He used the hedonism of Caesarea Philippi as an example of how much the world would need what their ministries would bring.

Even as our time in Israel has begun to wind down, days like today have me invigorated to see what lies ahead for us in our travels. I feel so truly blessed to see these monumental sites of the Bible one after another, day after day. Tomorrow awaits.

Dane Stanley

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