Day 07 - Decapolis: Galilee Boat Ride, Jezreel Valley, Ein Harod, Beth Shean

It would have been a really cool story. To start the day by milking cows by the Sea of Galilee. Avoiding “land mines”, probably taking lots of pictures. But that’s not how the story goes.

Instead, we started our day on a boat in the Sea of Galilee. I don’t think I need to remind you all of the impactful stories from scripture that have taken place on this very body of water. We’re carried on by peaceful yet powerful waves, strong gusts of wind, and the sun in our faces. Before Jared begins our teach, we are given some quiet time to ourselves to reflect on what being in a boat on this body of water may be drawing to the surface. Once reflection time is over, Jared begins his teach over Mark 4:35-41. We hear how the disciples object of fear transforms from being the big sea and waves their floating on, to Jesus after shushing the waves and returning back to sleep. As Jared’s voice echoes over the water, I’m amazed at how comforting that kind of fear can be. To know that my fear is best served in the Lord and his holiness, even comforted.

We don’t depart from the boat without having a little dance party. Our tour guide Ronen welcomes us into the reality of what his name means, “a joyful song”, and we all rise to dance, sing, and laugh laugh laugh. To do such a joyous thing over waters that we know our Lord has complete control and power over is so impactful. To think that at one point in time, the disciples fear and worries were carried over this space, and on today, the truth from that passage in Mark 4 and our laughter is now what fills the air. Praise God.

After an adventurous bus ride, we make our way to the Jezreel Valley. We are greeted by a group of elementary schoolers on a tour of their own and endless fields of wildflowers. Jared walks us through 1 Kings chapter 21, which tells the story of Ahab and Jezebel gaining ownership of Naboth’s vineyard by creating a conspiracy to have him stoned. We read the story and grimace at Ahab and Jezebel’s greed. We shift in our seats as the story continues and we find that Ahab eventually repents of his actions and the Lord promises to spare him. We think about what we would have preferred to happen to Ahab and Jezebel, thinking (because how dare we say this out loud) of how if we were God, we’d instead choose for some form of justice or vengeance to be brought upon them. But good thing we’re not like God. And praise Him that that’s not how the story goes.

Next we head to the Harod Spring and walk through the story of Gideon being called, reminded of his calling, being re-reminded of his calling, and then defeating an army of Midianites with trumpets and clay jars. TJ Conner reminds us that the best way to fight comparison is with our God-given identity, and somehow we all release an internal sigh we’ve been holding for far too long, finally finding rest in who the Lord has made us to be, scars and all. 

After that, we head to the ancient city of Bet ‘Shean to see a tel and ruins of a Roman city. We trek through the main road, the agora, and the bath house. We finally make it to the theatre, where Jared teaches us of the riches of this town and its commerce. We continue to learn how “sufficient” this city was, with it’s constant busyness to worship Greek gods, go to the market, gymnasium, etc. etc. The busyness of the schedule feels common to us, reminding us of the lives that we’ll pick back up and continue with once we make it back to the States. Before we leaves, Jared asks us what how we’re to share the gospel and make an impact with a world that doesn’t think they need it, because they have everything else.

The answer comes as we make a quick drive to Susita. Here, we trek up a mountain, walking through switchback after switchback. Left then right, it continues until we make it to the top, where Jared begins to teach on the story from Mark 5 and the man possessed by a legion of demons. As we continue to read, we’re reminded of how the world viewed this man and his condition, but also how Jesus truly transformed his life, not just with a healing but with a story. It all comes full circle after a walk to another set of ruins. As we stand there, Jared unfolds the story of Jesus feeding the four thousand, and asks us how we think these people came to hear about Jesus and become so desperate to learn from him that they would follow him for three days without eating? The answer is that there was once a man, no longer possessed by a legion of demons, but instead overwhelmed and compelled to share his own personal story of the redemptive work of Christ in his life. The sun begins to set behind Mt. Arbel as we realize the impact that one story can have. 

Not just the one of the Gospel, but of how it came and turned our lives completely upside down. And even though the story is full of scars and evidence of the life we had before coming to know the Son of God for ourselves, it’s our story. And it’s been written for a purpose, with all of our scars and sin, but mostly His glory. It’s a good story, not because of what we did or done or will do. But because it’s about the God of the universe interrupting our lives for our good and His glory. That’s the theme of my story and of yours too. And it’s a really really good one. I’d like to think it’s one of God’s favorites.