Day 04 - Galilee: Mount Arbel, Tabgha, Capernaum, Chorazin, Mount of Beatitudes, Ancient Boat (Ginosar), Galilee Boat Ride

Today we walked in the footsteps of Jesus, visiting the places most closely associated with Him around the Sea of Galilee.

Our 1st stop was Tobgha, the land of 7 Springs where tilapia, a tropical fish, fills fisherman's nets now, as they did 2,000 years ago. This is the site where Jesus feeds 10,000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves - as is told in all 4 gospels (the only miracle told in all four). Here a replica of an early basilica welcomes visitors for prayer and reflection.

A short walk takes us to the nearby Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, where Jesus appeared to his disciples after His Resurrection. As the Sea of Galilee lapped the pebbly shore, we could imagine the scene where Christ stood on the shore and told Peter and the others to cast their nets to the right and they caught more fish than they could haul in. This is also where Christ challenged Peter, a fisherman, to become a shepherd for His lambs.

Capernaum was the site where most of us could have spent a day studying the ruins of the synagogue and surrounding city, which is now property of the Franciscan Order. In Christ's time, the population of 5,000 gathered on the Sabbath to hear the Word of God spoken by the Messiah. A truly breathtaking location on the Sea of Galilee.

A small, quiet, national park, Chorazin, is an archeological treasurehouse with a black basalt synagogue under reconstruction, an insula (large family compound) and additional digs underway in the complex. Our driver, Ellie, had a picnic ready for a welcomed interlude in a most spectacular day.

The fifth stop of the day offered a spectacular view of the Galilean countryside from the top of Mt. Arbel.  After a hike up a steep incline, we sat on a ledge overlooking the city of Magdala and the Sea of Galilee, as well as the mountain range 40 miles away. Matt Hooks devotional about the beatitudes may have been delivered on the same spot where Christ discussed, "Blessed is he..."  According to our guide, Dan, research indicates that fact "but I wasn't there - I wish I had been."

As the sun began setting, we boarded the replica of a Roman ship and sailed across the Sea of Galilee, across the waters Christ and His disciples knew so well. Tim's playlist of Christian music provided the opportunity to reflect on our day and God's " Amazing Grace" during an hour's sail.

Tilapia for dinner!

Cindy