Day 05 - Mt. Arbel, Chorazin, Mt. of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Nof Ginosar Museum

Day 5 of the most amazing trip ever. I think its safe to speak for everyone when I say we are exhausted but in a very good way.  I feel like I’m drinking from a fire hose there is so much to take in and each day is jam packed with amazing sights, teachings and experiences. 

We started our day with an inspirational devotion and then we were off and running (literally).  Our first destination was Mt. Arbel which is in lower Galilee near Tiberius. Joey lead us on a hike up the side of the mountain (approx 1200 ft)  which provided some pretty awesome views.  The hike was challenging and it was pretty hot but the destination was well worth it. 

Once at the top Joey shared that Mt. Arbel was the place Jesus went to pray.  He prayed on this spot as to who to choose to be his apostles. Mt. Arbel is also the place where it is believed Jesus gave The Great Commission commanding the apostles to go and make disciples of all nations. To be standing on that same mountain where Jesus stood and where Jesus prayed still doesn’t seem real. 

Out next stop was Chorazin which is an ancient synagogue in Upper Galilee.  This is where Jesus performed most of his miracles yet the people still didn’t believe. Jesus cursed them for their unbelief. They had all the knowledge and lived in fellowship but didn’t believe. We learned about the structure of the synagogue which included the Mikveh (area to wash), Torah Closet (where scriptures are kept), Bema (Raised platform where person teaching would stand), Basilica design (area for public), Chief Seats (Patriarchs), School (where children learned the Torah) and Moses seat (where Rabi/or anyone of special acknowledgement would be seated). 

Next stop Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew. We were reminded of the eight blessing that people are promised for having honorable qualities and that even in hard times people are blessed because they will receive eternity in heaven. The Mt. of Beatitudes overlooks the Sea of Galilee. 

We then headed to Tabgha on the banks of the Galilee which is the spot where after Jesus showed himself to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection. They were out fishing and didn’t catch anything. Jesus, from the shore told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They did and caught a multitude of fish. They then knew it was the lord. 

Visiting these sites has truly made the Bible jump off the pages! We know the stories and we believe but being in the same places and walking some of the same paths takes it to a whole new level. 

We ended the day visiting a museum and going on a boat ride. We got to see a boat that was found in the Sea of Galilee during a drought. It was determined to be made between 20-80 AD. Some people believe it was a boat Jesus traveled but that has not been confirmed. What’s a little crazy is it was found in the same spot we did baptisms in yesterday. We took a boat ride on an old ship out on the Sea of Galilee. After a teaching about how Jesus slept during a storm and Jesus calmed the sea (the one we were now on) we sang and danced and worshiped. It was wonderful.