Sea of Galilee

We started the morning with a boat ride to the middle of Galilee. Like many places around Israel it’s not nearly as big as I’ve always imagined when I’ve read and taught scripture. It’s more of a lake because of it’s size but the water acts a lot like the sea…it’s “crazy choppy” as one of our other tour members heard me say. It’s easy to picture a storm chopping up the water to a point that would terrify even the seasoned fisherman that followed Jesus, especially in a boat of the size that would have been common then. After the boat ride we saw one such boat discovered not too long ago. It’s called “The Jesus Boat” and it fascinated all of us.

The day flew by as we visited Korazim, Capernaum and Tagbah all before a late lunch in Magdala.

Tagbah caught my attention. On a trip with a diversity of amazing ministry leaders, we were on the shore where Christ called and also restored Peter. Peter who had been passed over by the rabbis as not worth continuing on in religious education, which is why Peter joined the family fishing business. Peter, who Christ deemed worthy His time, which is why Peter walked with Jesus for 3 years. Peter, who denied Christ while looking across a fire, minutes after proclaimed undying faithfulness at all cost, hours before Christ paid the price for Peter’s sin. Peter, who ran right back to fishing.

I can’t imagine a lower point than Peter denying Christ and returning to fishing. I can imagine that each of the ministry leaders on this trip has had discouraging low points of ministry that threaten to overshadow their focus on Christ and the many years of God working in and through them. Each of us would love a meal with Christ. Hopefully, each of us runs to scripture to feast on His words, the Word that mentions the places we’re seeing on this tour.

As we sat on the shore during some free time I prayed that God would keep me from discouragement and from being a discouragement to others. I prayed that God would restore me when I fail. I prayed for those I serve and those I serve alongside.

Pray for those you know on this trip. We’re having some amazing days and we serve in some amazing places but there are also many days we need Christ to restore us. Ministry and our own sinfulness can so easily break us.

Now we’re off to Mt Arbel which is traditionally considered the secluded spot Jesus retreated to pray. Something we should do, especially when we’re discouraged. If you’re discouraged, ask some friends to pray for you, find a way and a place to get away and retreat to God’s word and pray.

James Barr, Youth Pastor, Grace Baptist Santa Maria

PS – While you pray, pray for the Jewish woman I met on the way down from Mt Arbel. We talked about the beauty of Israel and then we talked about the constant fighting. She asked me what the answer was. I told her I was a Christian and that the answer was the Messiah and Shalom. She asked how we get the Messiah to come. Pray that she and her people would discover that the Messiah has come.