Day 04 - Katzrin, Olive Oil Factory, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mount Bental

Shabot, Shalom! Everyone in our group keeps saying that this trip is like reading the Bible in 3D. I remember as a kid when I saw my first “3D” movie in the theaters. I was totally blown away!

Until one day, while visiting an amusement park, I discovered what it’s like seeing a movie in 4D. Not only does the film come off the screen, but there is additional sense that’s included such as smell, light, motion, vibration, moisture, ect.

So far this trip has made the Bible come off the page, but more than that, it’s a 4D experience.

Not only reading, but smelling, touching, walking. The heat, noise, motion, sounds. All of it opens up your mind to the fact that God's Word is alive. It’s active. And it’s powerful. And it has not ceased to be real and relevant for us today.

For day four we started off at Katzrin. We had the opportunity to dress as the people of ancient times, with tunics and hats. We experienced work as they would have worked, without any modern technology or equipment. We saw how an olive press would have worked in those times. Next we got the sift wheat from the chaff with some ancient tools.

We entered a real ancient home of a Rabbi who lived at Katzrin long ago. We saw the power of oil lamps in a dark home. We saw how little space you have in an ancient home. We read the passage in Mark, where four friends lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof, Jesus forgave his sins, and healed him of his paralysis. It is a powerful account on its own, but to sit in the room and to smell, touch, hear, feel, and see all brought powerful insight and understanding.

Leaving Katzrin, we stopped at a modern day olive oil factory. We learned how special and unique the olive oil is in Israel, and the incredible uses for olive oil.

Next we came to tel Dan, where we came to the ancient gate of the city of Dan. It is known as the oldest gate in the world. Pastor Mike showed us a false center of worship, where they would’ve worship Yahweh, AND also idols. Only partially obeying the Lord.

We then came to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus brought His disciples to ask them a very important question,” Who do you say that I am?”

This would have been a stinging question for them as they were surrounded by many idols in that city and demonic influences in that region.

We saw the ruins of what was a huge city, build for the purpose of attempting to impress Caesar.

We know that Peter rightly answers Jesus’ question with,” You are the Christ!”

The last place we went today was Mount Bental, which was a modern military fortress.

Some of the events that occurred here are proof that God is still protecting Israel. Many miracles have happened, preventing Israel from collapse and invasion.

At the end of the day, we had a beautiful time of Baptism in the Sea of Galilee. Many from our group made rededication’s to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior in their lives, and in their marriages.

God has truly blessed us in this trip. The fellowship, the experience, the smells, sights, sounds, and feels are teaching us knew aspects of the Word of God.