Day 04 - Galilee: Capernaum, Mt Arbel, Tabgha, Chorazin, Ancient Boat (Ginosar), Galilee Boat Ride, Sea of Galilee

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Shabbat Shalom! If you ask us which day on this tour was our favorite, we will likely reply, “Every day!” but today will rank at the top. Today we focused on trust. We’re halfway through the trip, and the Spirit is moving in our hearts. God is revealing truths about who He is and who we are because of Jesus. He’s inviting us to trust him more fully as we follow His footsteps around the Sea of Galilee.

We began our day on the beach for devotions with Pastor Ben. We read the Psalmist’s prayer inviting God to search and know us: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:23-24). Pastor Ben invited us to pause and ask God to search our hearts and reveal areas where we are not fully surrendered to him. Throughout the day, we saw God meet us in tender ways while answering those prayers.

Our first stop was Capernaum, also known as Jesus’s Hometown. Excavators discovered the original synagogue where Jesus would have taught and spent much time. It was in this location that Jesus cast out a demon and healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1). Pastor Brad taught this story with the challenge to consider what darkness we face and trust Jesus with it, for he is the One with the authority and power to make darkness bend its knees and obey.

They’ve also discovered Peter’s home, mere steps outside the synagogue floor. Our guide, Dan, walked us through the discovery revealing how the shape, location and items found inside the structure made it clear this was Peter’s home. This area is Vatican territory, dating back to the close of the Crusades. Today, a church building protects the house while allowing incredible views of the first-century structure. The beautiful area has a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee, trees offering shade and flowering bushes lining the views. A symphony of birds sang their praises in caws, coos and chirps. What a contrast from the desert!

We followed Jesus’s journey, leaving Capernaum and heading to Mt. Arbel. This location is the likely spot of Jesus’s retreat. After hours of healing the sick and casting out demons in Capernaum, he knew he needed time alone with the Father. If Jesus needed such solitude with the Father, how much more do we? Pastor Brad gave us about an hour to be quiet before the Lord. This location was also the likely spot for the Sermon on the Mount. Many of us read through Matthew 5-7 during our alone time. Taking in Jesus’s words with sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee and the hills beyond was beautiful beyond words. God spoke through his word to us in personal and powerful ways.

We quietly headed down the mountain to a tasty lunch in the park. Ask us about the Mediterranean version of a calzone! So tasty!

Our next stop was Tabgha, another area under Vatican territory. This location is the traditional location where Jesus made breakfast for the disciples after his resurrection. Seven springs fed into the Sea at this spot, warming the waters and making it “the” fishing location. We sat on the shore and recounted the story of Jesus calling the disciples from their boats. We took note that Jesus called ordinary people. These men weren’t scholars. Other rabbis hadn’t chosen them. They were fishermen, tax collectors and zealots who trusted Jesus. We also looked at the miracles of the fish filling the nets, both occurring at critical points in the disciples’ journey of faith and trust in Jesus.

Our next stop was Chorazin, a less popular site, which meant we had the place to ourselves. This excavated community gave a great visual to life in community in Jesus’s time. We learned about an insula, meaning families lived together in community sharing resources and live together. Pastor Brad challenged us to consider who knows everything that’s going on in our lives. Not everyone needs to know, but someone does. We are meant to live in community with each other.

From there, we headed to a museum to view an ancient boat. Two fishermen who grew up on the Sea of Galilee and were interested in archaeology made this incredible discovery in 1986 while walking the beach. They first noticed old nails, then dug a little deeper and discovered a reasonably well-preserved boat. They could immediately tell by the nails, wood and type of construction it was ancient. Careful removal by an archaeology team revealed a boat from the time of Jesus. While we can’t know if this was a boat Jesus taught from or sailed in, it’s quite possible based on the few boats that would have existed of this size and quality. After examining the boat in the museum, we headed to the docks outside to sail across the Sea of Galilee.

Our one-hour ride began with the crew declaring this ship American, raising our flag and playing our national anthem! What a fun surprise! And the excitement was just beginning. As we set sail, a worship playlist began, and we sang along. New and old friends hugged, wrapped arms and belted out praise to our good, generous, faithful God. The crew stopped the boat midway through the Sea and Pastor Brad took us to the story of Jesus walking on the water. Waves rocked our boat, the wind whipped around us, and it was easy to imagine a storm that could shake the disciples. Jesus has power over all creation and calms the storm. Pastor Brad returned our focus to trust. Where is God inviting us to trust him? We took a moment of silence to allow the Spirit to stir our hearts, and then the first chords of the worship song, “Oceans,” began. We worshiped along, inviting the Spirit “lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters. Wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander. And my faith will be made stronger. In the presence of my Savior.” Amen!

But wait! There’s MORE!! We shared dinner at the hotel and then went to the shoreline to celebrate baptisms. Five of our friends on the trip took the step of baptism, publicly declaring their faith and trust in Jesus. What an honor to celebrate this important step in their faith together with cheers as the sun set behind them.

What. A. Day! And we’re only halfway through! We continue to thank God for good health, new friendships formed, old friendships deepened, and our deepening trust in the Lord and His Word. Thank you for praying.