Day 4 – Mt. Arbel, Chorazin, Tabgha, Capernaum, Mount of the Beatitudes, and the Gadarene Cliff

Today, we entered the Galilee, the northern part of Israel surrounding the Sea of Galilee. This was Jesus’ home base in his early ministry. He used to rise early to pray on Mt. Arbel. There he could look out over the sea and the towns in which he would heal the sick, feed the hungry, walk on water, and teach in the synagogues. Both Chorazin and Capernaum have magnificent synagogues that look very similar to the ones Jesus would have entered. On the beach at Tabgha, Jesus cooked breakfast for the disciples and restored Peter. On the Gadarene cliff, Jesus cast a “Legion” of demons out of a man and then commissioned him to tell his story far and wide.

More than any part of the trip, thus far, we walked in the footsteps of Jesus today. In the afternoon we stood near the place Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Those words are just as applicable today as they were nearly two thousand years ago. God’s kingdom turns the world upside down, and He’s still doing that today.

Today we visited Mount Arbel were we found breathtaking views and scenery. It was easy to see why this Mount was very special to Jesus. Our view was about 1,250 feet above the valley below allowing us to see many iconic locations. We could see the area where Jesus shared his Sermon on the Mount and Capernaum which is known as Jesus’ own city.

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.”

- Michael White