Day 05 - Galilee: Chorazin, Tabgha, Mount Arbel

Basalt (volcanic rocks) surrounded us as we stepped off the bus in Chorazin. We wandered around an insula which means “the house of the father.” In Bible times, as sons got married they added a room (three walls and a door) to their father’s house. This created a “complex” of rooms attached to their father’s house referred to as an insula. Then we observed the ruins of the synagogue and got educated on Jewish schooling. We learned about “Hazak. Hazak. Venit’hazak.” which means “Get strong. Get strong. Then we all get strong.” Jews have been (and still are) obsessed with memorizing and reciting Scripture, so they make school fun and interesting to keep their children motivated to learn. From singing and dancing to writing Scripture in honey and letting the kids lick the words of God, because His Word is sweet like honey—creativity and repetition lock in the learning.

Our next stop was Tabgha which is where Jesus multiplied fish and bread and fed the multitudes. We proceeded to the beach and read Scripture of other times Jesus was here including Simon, James and John dropping their fishing nets to follow Christ (Luke 5) as well as Jesus appearing to the disciples after His resurrection (John 21) when he reinstated Peter.

Jesus often went to a high mountain to pray, so we climbed a high mountain to pray like Jesus! As we approached Mount Arbel we were given a choice: hike the mountain or ride the bus to the top where there is a visitor overlook. The hike was an obstacle course of sorts. From steps to switchbacks to rock climbing, we ascended to the top. Along the way we were able to see a Muslim village and even heard the chimes from a mosque followed by a loudspeaker announcement from a minaret for one of the daily Islam calls to prayer. We also passed cows and goats on the steep hills. Once the hikers made it to the top, we joined the bus group and we all enjoyed the panoramic view looking down to Galilee. Then we dispersed and each found a place to have quiet time and pray….just like Jesus.

Capernaum was next on our itinerary. This visit to the headquarters of Jesus’ ministry was humbling as we sat in the synagogue we know He taught in, walked around the village and wandered along the beach looking out at the Sea of Galilee.

Our final adventure of the day was seeing a restored boat from the days of Jesus and then experiencing a sunset boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. As the boat left the dock, they lifted an American flag at the bow and played our national anthem. It was a beautiful display of harmony as we watched the American and Israeli flags wave side-by-side as we crossed the Sea. We also sang and danced to the Israeli folk song Hava Nagila (Hebrew for “Let us rejoice”). Joshua played guitar and sang again. And then we docked at a restaurant for a delicious meal including the WHOLE fish served for our main course.

It was a very long 12 hour day of touring, but we got to fully experience the heartbeat of Jesus’ ministry hub.

Tomorrow we head to Jerusalem!

Jennifer Sherick