Around Galilee

Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee:
When we crossed the Sea of Galilee we did lots of cool stuff. The first thing we did on the boat was look at scriptures. Then we got some time to reflect on the Lord listening to worship music. Another thing Ronen showed us was some dance moves to a song and one of our dance moves was like karaoke where we made a big circle and we picked someone to dance and we had to copy their moves. Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was a very important job. They worked from 3-6 am when the fish are in the shallow water where it is warmer. They ate their fish in the morning when it was fresh. Then the fisherman would go to other jobs like farming. It was really neat to ride in the sea of Galilee.

Ryder Bjork, 10 years old, OCS Family

Tabgha:
We visited Tabgha, also known as Einshava in Hebrew which means seven springs. This site was an area on the Sea of Galilee that was a very popular place for fishermen because good kinds of fish are drawn towards fresh waters and the fresh water springs. Ronen taught about three stories while we were in Tabgha, the three stories were Jesus calling the disciples, Jesus feeds the 5,000, and when Jesus made fish after he was resurrected. One of the main points of the story of Jesus calling his disciples found in Mark 1:16-20 was that the disciples left everything when directed by Jesus because it was a rare privilege to be asked to follow a rabbi. The second story was found in Luke 9:10-17 and was about Jesus feeding the 5,000 and how Jesus has the power to do anything. The last story we was in John 21 and was about how Jesus made fish and met back with the disciples after he had resurrected. Something that really stood out to me and left me amazed in the third story was when it mentioned the exact amount of fish that they had caught, 153. Ronan explained that numbers can spell out or are connected to letters in the Hebrew alphabet. He told us that he believes that the number of fish was significant because the numbers 153 equal or spell out, I am the Lord. Just this one example of the number of fish shows that Jesus has a purpose for everything, everyone, and every little detail.
-Reese Bjork

Capernaum “Kafr Nakhum” (camp for the night)

Jesus chose Capernaum, a Jewish town of 1,500 as his base for his 3 year ministry at the age of 30. He did amazing miracles conquering many fears that the Jewish people had at the time, taught to crowds of thousands, chose his disciples and quickly built quite an incredible reputation. People would bring their sick and lame from miles to be healed. Capernaum was perfectly situated along the “road to the sea” the Via Mares which was prophesied in Isaiah. The visitors would come from lands near and far allowing Jesus to multiply his scope of influence to the gentiles of the world. Jesus taught in the synogoue or “bet koneset” House of Assembly. The first century the volcanic rock served as a sturdy base while the limestone was used as more decorative carving material. The Rabbi taught from the center called the Bema. The Torah scrolls were stored in the Torah closet. Peter’s mother-in-laws home where Jesus healed her fever, was said be be located just adjacent to the synogogue in Capernaum. How amazing to be standing on the floors where Jesus taught.
-Monica Bjork, OCS Mom of 3

Mt. Arbel:
My. Arbel was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Although the hike ended (because of dangerous conditions) before we made it to the top, it was gorgeous and the view was unlike everything I’ve ever seen. We hiked down the mountain and the bus took us toward the top where we hiked up for about 20 minutes. The top of Arbel was like heaven on earth. You could see all of the land surrounding the sea of Galilee, and everyone spent the reflection time soaking in the beauty. I got to pray, talk to God, reflect on my relationship with God, and think about the significance of walking in places Jesus walked. It was also very humbling to realize that Jesus could have come and sat right where I sat after feeding the thousands of people when he needed time to talk to his father and find time for peace. I am very grateful that I got to experience this incredible place.
-Rylie Bjork, OCS 10th Grader

Mount of Beatitudes:
The Sermon on the Mount reveals the heart and thoughts of God in purest form. What God prizes is at odds with the world’s view. Through that teaching, we see Christ turn on its head customs, traditions, law and our own priorities, and by doing so reorient the way we should think about and approach God and each other. The weak are strong; there is strength in humility; love our enemies; put others ahead of self—this is the way of the Lord. This teaching, if we are obedient to it, is what separates us as believers from the World. It was powerful to read through and share this scripture as a group at the exact location where Christ preached this sermon. The Spirit was there.
-Jeff Bjork, OCS Father of 3