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Israel Study Tour with The Church at Rocky Peak
March 28 - April 8, 2016
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Just one step of faith at time
Shabat Shalom! It is Saturday here, and as the Israelis say, we are in the Land of Jesus. As we woke up this morning on the shores of the Sea of Galilee- we were greeted with the sights, sounds, and beauty of Israel.
Early this morning Pastor Michael reminded us that we never grow with out His [Gods] revaluations. Today, that is exactly what he did- God revealed himself in incredible and unimaginable ways. While we may all be here on our own individual journey's- I'd love to share with you part of mine...
Exhausted from the trials of yesterday, my eyes widened with fear as we set out to conquer Mount Arbel. It was in that exhaustion the God showed me what I didn't even know I needed. With every step I grew weaker and weaker, literally grasping the side of the mountain so I would not fall off. Yet it was with each of those steps that He became even stronger with in me. Revealing the truths of who He is, and who I am in Him. It is when I rely on him for EVERY step that he will take me to places I can't even imagine. Each step will be hard—but it is when you put those steps together that you climb the mountain. It was on that mountain that I realized I had strength I didn't even know. We know that The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, so that we may behold His glory in a fresh way (John 1:14 & 1 John 1-3). Friends that is exactly what happened as He spoke to me softly saying, "Have faith dear one, just one step of faith at time." And there I was reminded, do I have the faith to follow where He is leading me?
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.
I could go on and on... But we don't have the time for that—there are so many more adventures to tell you about. I am afraid my words will not do them justice.
We visited some amazing sites today, one of which was Capernaum—Jesus' home base. As we sat in the ruins of the synagogue, we can see why Jesus chose this place to do ministry. Capernaum was a major cross roads in accident times. You could not help but be in awe as we stood right where He stood.
Capernaum
Jesus made Capernaum his home during the years of his ministry: “Leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum” (Matt 4:13).
Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen living in the village. Matthew the tax collector also dwelt here.
Capernaum is one of the three cities cursed by Jesus for its lack of faith.
Another interesting site was Magdala, a place that had not even been discovered until 7 years ago. Our group are some of the first people to see this First Century synagogue they uncovered. Standing in the home town of Mary Magdalene (the only women mentioned in All FOUR Gospels to be at the tomb of Jesus when it was found empty)
I can't forget to mention Chorazin. Here we learned about Jewish culture and society. How their homes, communities, and synagogues operated. Not to mention Danny Fernandez shook hands, so I am pretty sure we married off one of our youngest group members today...
All in all today provided better understanding of biblical culture, and revelations from the one who came for us...
I say good night to you as I sit here with my feet in the water, watching the sun set on the Sea of Galilee...
- Kellie Ann Neill
Chorazin
The synagogue at Chorazin is a typical “Galilean” style synagogue. These synagogues are characterized by 1) a basilical shape with three hallways separated by two rows of pillars; 2) three doorways and the central one is the largest; 3) benches around the interior walls; 4) a stylobate to support the weight of the arches.
Magdala
Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, was a prosperous fishing village at the time Jesus was active in this region. The ruins of this Roman village is now enclosed within a wall. The archaeologists uncovered the remains of the village dating from the time of Jesus, and a Byzantine monastery. A mosaic floor featuring a fisherman's boat was found at the place.
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