Day 04 - Jesus – Galilee

Hello everyone! We’re wrapping up a very wonderful and very emotional day spent in Galilee and the surrounding areas. Today we walked where Jesus walked, we prayed where Jesus prayed, we learned where the disciples learned. We likely sat on rocks that heard the voice of Jesus!

This is our fourth morning waking up in Israel and our first of three mornings waking-up on the Sea of Galilee. Ralph led our morning devotion along the shore. The very same shores where Jesus spent so much time. We talked about his ministry in Galilee. Jesus is the King of kings, but he was also doing everyday life in little fishing villages with real people. Then and now, he is building his kingdom through relationships; one person at a time, with real people just like us.

In true “rabbi-style”, most of us were led to our first stop not knowing exactly where we were going. We hiked to a hillside area dotted with rocks, both big and small. We quickly learned that this spot is a likely place where Jesus would have spoken His Sermon on the Mount. From this high place where Jesus taught, we had a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee. Seeing it from this perspective helped us understand what it was like for Jesus to teach there. We were reminded of the way he referred to the flowers of the field in Matthew 6:28-29, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Reading these verses (Matthew chapters 5-7) on the very spot where Jesus spoke them, surrounded by our church family, gazing at the golden fields of mustard seed and wheat grass, was something that cannot be fully explained. It was unforgettable. And emotional.

Not too far away (walking distance) is a place called Tabgha where we visited next. We learned that it is called the Place of the Seven Springs. Because of the plentiful fish in this spot on the Sea of Galilee, it was a desired place for fishermen to find a good catch. Tabgha does not appear in the Bible, at least not in name. However, it could be the site of a few very important events in the New Testament. Some say it’s the place where Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be his disciples… inviting them to be fishers of men. It’s also said to be the place where, after the cross and Jesus’ resurrection, seven of the disciples decide to come back to Galilee. Peter says he is going to go fishing and the other six disciples join him. They catch nothing all night. As they return in the morning, Jesus appears to them from the shore (although they don’t realize it’s Him) and He tells them to cast their net, which results in bringing in 153 large fish. When the disciples get to shore, they find that Jesus has a breakfast of fish and bread awaiting them. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Remember that Peter had denied Jesus three times. Each time, Peter assures Jesus that he loves Him. Jesus responds with telling Peter to feed and to take care of His sheep. The sheep are a picture of Peter’s mission. This event is sometimes referred to as the ‘reinstatement of Peter’ (John 21).  Jesus is faithful even when we’re not (2 Tim 2:13).  We walked down to the shoreline where it is likely that Jesus once called his disciples. Steve gathered us and reminded us of just who Jesus gathered together as disciples. He didn’t just gather the polished students of the law, he chose a tax collector, a zealot, and normal fishermen. Jesus values and calls men and women of all walks of life to follow him. Jesus chose to turn the system of the world on its head, calling all to walk so closely with their Savior that we would be covered by the dust from his feet. Stay dusty.

Our next stop of the day was very special. We hiked up to the top of Mount Arbel. From this spot, we could see all of upper and lower Galilee. The views were striking, unlike what we’ve ever seen before. Jesus went to Mount Arbel to pray (Matthew 14). As we sat atop the Mount reflecting on all of Jesus ministry it was hard not to be emotional. We all separated and prayed alone to take time to be with God just like Jesus did so long ago. Knowing what it took for Jesus to climb up to Mount Arbel to pray lets us know how important prayer was for Him. As Christians it is important for us to be in communion with our Father just like Jesus did. Through prayer we not only communicate our need and wants to our Father but we develop an intimate relationship that allows us to know the character and will of the one true God.

Next we drove to the place where Jesus moved after leaving Nazareth, Capernaum. It was here that we saw the preserved foundation of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. According to Mark 1:29-30, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law right there in Capernaum after teaching all day in the synagogue. We were amazed to see the foundation of that very synagogue was still intact, underneath another synagogue that was built in the 4th century. Pastor Guil taught us that Jesus lived and did most of his ministry in Capernaum. This place is where he carried out his mission, teaching and healing people.

Pastor Guil led us in an emotional message about Jesus’ love for us. He asked “why Capernum?” Why did Jesus come to Capernum? For one, He was rejected in His hometown in Nazareth… and if you look at a map of that times, Capernum was on the border of two territories led by Herod Philip and Herod Antipas, at the northern point of the Sea of Galilee. It was a major crossroads for travelers and He would have had access to may people who, like Him, were rejected. He came for all. He came to lay hands and heal anyone who came to Him. Guil specifically spoke of the woman who had suffered and hemorrhaged for twelve years. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. May we all have such great faith. When you feel outcast or in need of healing, cry out to Jesus. He meets us where we are.

From here, we went to see an ancient boat that was discovered under the water (in the Sea of Galilee), dating back to the time of Christ. We learned all the intricate ways that archaeologists have worked to preserve such an ancient treasure. Having seen the size of the Sea of Galilee, we were amazed at how much work it would have been back then without a motor to depend on. Seeing the Bible in practical ways has been a fascinating experience. It colors the way we see Scripture—deepens it.

We ended our amazing day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We enjoyed views of the surrounding areas, and the breeze on such a hot afternoon. To quote a friend, “The Sea of Galilee is the enthralling power of this region for Christian visitors, where you don’t have to close your eyes to picture Jesus here—you have to open them.” We stopped in the center of the Sea, where Pastor Ralph set the stage for the rest of our days here. He introduced us to the world as it was at the time of Jesus. He pointed out where the Jewish world lived on one side of the Sea, and where the Hellenistic world lived, in a place called the Decapolis. So much of what we know of the gospels and how Jesus ministered to the people around Him came into sharp focus for us. Ralph helped us understand that Jesus’s heart was not just for the Jew, but also the Gentile. Salvation would come to all through Him. After the teaching, we started to the other side of the Sea, playing worship music, singing and fellowshipping together. Just imagining Jesus out there on the water was enough to make us sit in awestruck silence. It was very powerful and memorable.  It was a perfect ending to an emotional day. We are so very thankful to be in Israel with each other.

As we wrap up for the evening, please know that these blogs only cover a small fraction of what we’re learning and experiencing here. In the years to come if you’re able, please consider a future trip to Israel. Our skilled leaders take us on an intentional, prayerful journey through the Holy Land that cannot be fully grasped unless it is experienced first-hand. 

We wish you all a blessed evening, we’re so thankful for your prayers.

CIC Israel ‘22