Day 05 - Galilee: Katzrin (cultural experience), Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, 3 Vines Winery

We were transported back in time as we spent our morning in the Israelite village of Katzrin. We stepped into the entrance of a 2000 year old Jewish home, sat in the light of oil lamps, and felt the debris fall from the ceiling while we heard the familiar story of Jesus healing the paralytic. As we learned how they pressed olive oil; crushed wheat; made bread, built homes, and shared resources, we more deeply appreciated how the people of Yahweh sought to follow Him in all aspects of life. 

Our next stop at Caesarea Philippi was where Jesus asked the disciples, “who do you say I am?” As we sat looking at the old temple ruins of Augustus, Pan and other gods we better understood the extreme debauchery practiced in that region. Jesus stood in contrast to the worship of the gods around him and Peter boldly declares He is the Messiah.

As we visited Tel Dan we learned the subtle ways they strayed from God's instructions for worship. The highlight was definitely the recently discovered 4,000 year old city gate Abraham would have walked through (in Gen 14) and a stele inscription mentioning the house of David. This mementious archeological find adds even more legitimacy to the Hebrew Scriptures and lineage from David to Jesus.

We finished our day at a family owned winery on a hillside in the Naphtali region of Northern Galilee. As the sun set over the vineyard we enjoyed one another’s company and generous Israeli hospitality. Off to the coast tomorrow!