Draw near to me…

Like rolling waves, the hills of lower Galilee; like the softest song, western winds whispering, “Draw near to me…”

Draw near to me…

From the rocky perch of Mount Arbel, we got a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee. At the base of Mount Arbel, Jesus arrived from Nazareth, to a hotspot – the crossroad of nations – vibrating with strife. And he began to teach, to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy; a Messiah, who was far more interested in winning men’s hearts than in restoring power or lands. In this region, Jesus entered history; he drew near to us, and invited us to have eternal life with him.

• Here, at the top of the hill, Jesus would have retreated to restore and find communion with the Father.
• Here, we drew near to him in a time of quiet reflection.

Draw near to me…

From the rubble of Chorazin, we got a glimpse into a city where Jesus taught. In communities like Chorazin – of maybe 300 or so – people would have worked together, worshipped in synagogue together and made decisions together as an “Insula,” or family. The synagogue was the center of the Jewish community, and in synagogue, Jesus read and initiated fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

• Here, Jesus stepped into daily life, and spoke in terms the people would understand.
• Here, we reflected on God’s perfect timing and finely orchestrated plan.

Draw near to me…

From the shores of Tabgah, sand underfoot, we walked where Jesus called his disciples to be fishers of men. These men would’ve had leathered skin from the hot Middle Eastern sun, and callused hands from casting their nets. They were nothing-remarkable-average, proving for us still today, that if we come as we are, and obey his commands, he will restore us, draw near to us, and use us as his feet and hands.

• Here, Jesus took Peter’s empty net, after a long, dark morning, and filled it to breaking.
• Here, as the waves gently lapped, we listened through centuries for the voice of Jesus, in a fishing boat, teaching.

Draw near to me…

From the Mount of Beatitudes, a slight hill with rustling grasses, we read from Matthew 5: “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled…’”

• Here, Jesus taught the beatitudes; he taught that God’s way of living often contradicts the world’s.
• Here, we were reminded that he turned everything upside down, and that if we follow him, we will one day inherit the kingdom of heaven.

After a day that was brimming, we celebrated; with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and a family dinner. If you were listening close, you might have heard us singing…

“Hava nagila, hava nagila, hava nagila ve-nismeha!”
“Let’s rejoice, let’s rejoice, let’s rejoice and be happy!”