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Israel Study Tour - Troy Thomas & Marshall Holtvluwer
April 23 - May 3, 2018
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Eternal significance
Greetings from the northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee! We left out hotel on south side of the Dead Sea this morning, after a rain delay. We needed to wait for the roads to clear up after the rain storm last night. We still got plenty of sites in today!
After a long bus trip, we arrived in Caesarea. Although Jerusalem was the religious capital of the Palestine area in the first century, Caesarea was the political and economic capital. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, this was the busiest port along the way. We got to see the amazing ruins of what Herod the Great built while he was in rule. The view was breathtaking with the Mediterranean and great structures around us. On the shore, we could find pieces of marble that remain from Herod’s palace. Marshall taught us to reflect on whether what we are doing in our lives will have eternal significance; or will it just wash up on the shore, ruined. The things that we do for Jesus will have eternal significance. It was great to reflect on the missionary journeys that Paul went on. He sailed on these journeys by leaving from the port at Caesarea! We also looked at the spot that Paul might have been standing at to give his defense to King Agrippa!
Caesarea Maritima
The city and harbor were built under Herod the Great during c. 22–10 BC near the site of a former Phoenician naval station known as Stratonos pyrgos (Στράτωνος πύργος).[2] It later became the provincial capital of Roman Judea, Roman Syria Palaestina and Byzantine Palaestina Prima provinces. The city was populated throughout the 1st to 6th centuries CE and became an important early center of Christianity during the Byzantine period, but was mostly abandoned following the Muslim conquest of 640. It was re-fortified by the Crusaders, and finally slighted by the Mamluks in 1265.
We finished our day outside of Nazareth. On Top of the Mount of Precipice, we had an incredible sight of both Nazareth and the landscape of the Jezreel Valley. Towards Nazareth, we were able to see the church that now sits on top of a well that Mary could have very well carried young Jesus to to draw for water. It was amazing to know that Jesus may have very well strolled right where we were standing.
Tomorrow, we will begin our time around the Sea of Galilee and explore around here. Your prayers are much appreciated! Lailah tov!
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