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

The day started very rainy and windy, lots of concern for what the day would give….BUT God provided an amazing day. Wonderful devotion in the rain given by Pastor Lance on the Great Commission.

Jesus’ resurrection was just as he said he would, his promises are true. But that’s not the end… Go into Galilee and spread the news. Matt 28:16… to Mt. Arbel... Matt 28: 18-20- go and make disciples of all nations…..in the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit….teach them…surely I am with you always… We often are looking for purpose, belonging….this is our purpose, sharing Jesus… Who in my life do I need to share Jesus with? What’s keeping me from doing it?

Our worship song was Send Me - although lots of rain we would push forward!

Kinneret or (Sea of Galilee) Luke called it this. Galeel or Galilee means wave, many mountains to valleys. There are 5 different regions. Eastern-700 ft below sea level, subtropical. West is Mediterranean, sea level. Central (lower, 1000 ft above, upper, 3000Bft above), Hula Valley, 2000 ft. above sea level.

We were spending the day in Galilee, just 1 corner (the northwest), which was Jesus’s primary area for his ministry. Called Jesus Land.

Why there? Well Jews fish there, it was the way of life.

Jewish culture, fish for breakfast….remember context is everything!

As we arrived in our first stop Chorazin we were reminded we must be FAT: flexible, adaptable, teachable…..because it was pouring!

Chorazin was built 1st century. It is 2 miles from the lake, it was an area of farming, olives and wheat. Mishnah, Jewish scriptures written in 200 AD speak of the wheat of Chorazin.

We learned of the way of families. The Betav, the house of the Father the patriarch.

Different way of life - marriage arranged between the families, they shared everything, they built synagogues/schools together. 

John 14:2-In my father's house there are many rooms.The Lord is our patriarch; he has room for all of us!

We walked insulas (family homes) and the synagogue - we learned Moses seat, a place for people who were to be celebrated sat.

On next travel we discussed that this area is a Black/white region-Limestone and basalt rocks, full of Mango trees.

The land is leased from Israel to protect the land from going to non-Israelis.

Next stop Mt. of beatitudes - very special visit.

Amazing walk through the gardens and teaching about synagogues.

We were taught all the parts of synagogue, they read through the Torah, the first 5 books of Old Testament, each year as well as the Haftara, which are the prophets.

All Jewish children, mostly boys, went to school from ages5-13 called Betsphere. 10% continued on with Betmidrash, the house of commentary.

Learning to be disciples of the rabbi, called Talmud, meaning to learn and teach.

Jesus became a rabbi because the Father called him to be. He was young, he spoke with authority and he was a rabbi in a community other than his own. He chose disciples that knew the Torah but were outside the top students.

Matthew 5, the most famous sermon - The Beatitudes- sermon on the mount…Blessed, happy.

The pyramid of discipleship-

Shema, 10 commandments, Sermon on the Mount and the Great Commission

Next stop was the 7 springs- Tabgha, the church of Peter, table of the Lord Where Jesus fed the 5000. Teaching can take place in synagogues, mounts or on shore or boat.

Mark 1:17-19- Jesus chose disciples from fisherman, challenged them to do it differently.

He taught them to lead people on the paths of righteousness, be the example.

In John 21 After resurrection disciples went back to what they knew, and failed.

He convicted Peter who had denied him 3 times, so Peter says he loved him 3 x.

We must know the Lord, have relationship with him.

To follow Jesus we must

-learn from him

-teach like him

-bring others into the kingdom

-get out of our comfort zones - we are chosen. Our question is “am I a good disciple of the Lord?”

Then the hike to Mt. Arbel, the highest peak in Galilee. It is likely the site of Great Commission and ascension. Today we celebrated 3 wedding vow renewals. The scripture shared with all was Colossians 3, we put on a new self.

And the day continues to Capernaum (village of Nahum) Built in 63 BC, on the Via Maris.

Had Roman soldiers, tax collectors, demon-possessed people and bleeding women.

Home of Jesus, but why? Why did he come here? To fulfill prophecy Isaiah 9:1 Not the biggest or the best place. Jesus did many miracles, taught us to love our neighbors, even the ones we don’t like, he taught by example.

Synagogue of Capernaum is where Jesus taught, the headquarters of his ministry.

Mark 1:21-28

But fell in 749 AD.

In Matthew 11:20 Jesus said this place worse than Sodom…. although many miracles they fell in their unbelief.

Last stop we were able to see a 2000 year old boat discovered in the Galilee in 1984. Then the Galilee boat ride!

We sang Bless the lord oh my soul…God gave us a rainbow… God's majesty was everywhere!

Mark 4:35 - Jesus tell disciples…lets go to the other side. Leaving the crowd behind.

Jesus calms the storm. Why does he allow us to go through storm? Reliance on him.

Crisis before miracles. 

What about the people he left behind, what about my miracle?

We can start sailing with Jesus and the squalls will come…..

Some were baptized on the boat with waves!

Only the Creator can tell creation what to do! In the beginning God said….

Hebrews says God chastises those he loves….

Jesus said we are going to the other side - in the middle of our storms, don’t forget what Jesus said! His promises are true!

We tried to sing Hava Nagila…. then we danced! Oh my what fun and laughs!

The day concluded with a wonderful dinner…. our group is growing closer to Jesus daily and to each other… Truly a marvelous God-filled day!

Shalom