Not only pray but also listen

Our incredible journey continues with our 
morning devotional on the shores of the Sea of Galilee! 

 First stop: Chorazin, one of the 3 towns on the north side of the Sea of Galilee that makes up the “Triangle,” with Capernaum & Bethsaida.  Jesus performed 70% of His miracles in this 6-10 mile area. 

 Chorazin structures were built with black stone called basalt, used for many purposes, such as buildings, food processors, etc. Here we learned about community, “insula,” rooms together & surrounding a courtyard. Families lived together in community, but in our culture, many issues push back against “community,” such as financial status, race, religion, politics, etc. 

2nd stop: Mt Arbel, with an overview of the Sea of Galilee & surrounding cities: Tiberius, Capernuum (home to religious Jews), Bethsaida, Gamla (home to Zealots), 10 cities of Decapolis (land of Helenistic pagans). 

 The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, & He used what we call the model prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus went to desolate places to pray early in the morning before anyone else was awake; Mt Arbel may have been one of those places. 

 We learned that to be like our Rabbi Jesus, we need to follow His example of praying. We can pray in concentric circles, beginning with those closest to us  & working out to include others. We must learn to trust God daily & learn how to forgive, even when we don’t want to.  

Prayer is the weakest yet most important thing we do in our Christian walk. How much effort do we put into praying? Do we get up early, find a “desolate” place to pray, & give time to God to  not only pray but also listen?

3rd stop: Magdala, 1st century BC, is located in the  Valley of Gennesaret, on the Sea of Galilee. Major professions in Israel then were shepherding, agriculture, trade, & fishing. Magdala was known the City of Salted Fish & also the town of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus.

4th stop: Capernaum, 2nd town of the Triangle & headquarters of Jesus. Here we learned the Jewish way of education, specifically how one comes to follow a rabbi. If you are a disciple, how do you follow a rabbi? You are chosen & walk directly in his footsteps! He says to you, “I think you can be just like me!” 

Jesus is saying to you, “Come & follow me!” Be His disciple so that you can bear fruit & then disciple others! Are you answering His call?

Last stop for the day: Bethsaida, House of Fishing, is 3rd town in the Triangle. Philip & Andrew are from Bethsaida. We heard the story of Philip & of his death by crucifixion, upside down! He was a great example of what it looked like to be  disciple. He not only walked & taught the Good News, taking it to the Gentiles but was also just like his Rabbi in death. Philip picked up his cross & followed Jesus. Do you look anything like your Rabbi Jesus? Are you taking up your cross & following Him?