What Is This World Coming To?

It goes without saying, that we were all very anxious to get out and see the sights, on this, our first full day in the Promise Land.  After a hearty breakfast, we boarded the bus and headed to our first stop.

The Mount of Beatitudes is located on the North shore of the Sea of Galilee.  It is where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5 - 7)  Jack very much wanted to demonstrate the acoustical effect of this natural amphiteater, but due to safety precautions, we were not allowed to venture down the hillside.  Instead, we all gathered in the garden behind the church, where Jack read from the Bible.

Jack reading from Matthew       Church at Beatitudes

Overlooking Amphitheater        Inside Church

Next, we traveled up over the mountains to the northeastern tip of Israel, to Banius (Caesarea Philippi).  The Greeks conquered this area in the 3rd century BC and were taken by it’s natural beauty, with the stream flowing out of the rocks.  They dedicated it to Pan, god of the forest.  In the 1st century BC, the Romans built the Temple of Augustus here.  It remained a pagan sanctuary well into the Christian era, with many animal sacrifices performed here.  This is also the place that Jesus asked Simon Peter “Who do you say I am?”  Peter’s reply was “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16 : 5-20)

Banius                   Water from Rock   

Our next stop was a scenic overlook of a valley and snow capped mountains on the border with Syria.  On the mountain top behind us was an Israeli Military Outpost.  A shrewd reminder of the volatile situaton in this part of the world.

Mountains of Syria                          Military Outpost

We then proceeded south to Kursi National Park (Gergesa), located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  This is where Jesus performed the Miracle of the Swine (Matt. 8 : 28-34)

Kursi   Swine ran down this cliff  

Heading north, we followed the coast line of the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum.  We saw the house that Peter and Andrew lived in, and where Jesus stayed when He was in this area.  It is also where they lowered the paralyzed man down through the roof, so Jesus could cure him. (Mark 2 : 1-12)  Just across the street was the synagogue where Jesus preached and drove out the evil spirit from a man who was possessed. (Mark 1 : 21-28)

Capernaum                                             Simon Peter’s house

Synagogue                                               Jack reading scripture

By this time, it was well after noon, so we stopped at a quaint little restaurant overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  At first, I was told my only choice was fish, which I am not very fond of.  Thankfully, they also offered chicken on a kabob stick.

Lunch   View from patio        Yuck!

After lunch we proceeded to the Church of Multiplication at Tabgha.  This is the traditional site of Jesus feeding the 5000 with the two fish and five loaves of bread. (Mark 6:30-44)  It is also where Jesus appeared to the disciples, the third time after His resurrection. (John 21:1-14)

Rock where Jesus laid fish & bread   Jack reading scripture behind Church

Where Jesus appeared & Peter swam ashore

We then proceeded back to the area of our hotel, for our late afternoon boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.  The crew, on the Jesus Boat, treated us with great respect, and even raised the American Flag while playing our national anthem on their sound system.  When we were out a ways from shore, they killed the engine and Jack gave a short sermon.  As you can imagine, being on the same sea, that our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ, had spent so much time on, was a very moving experience.

The Jesus Boat          Solidarity          View of shoreline

Group on Jesus Boat          A solemn moment

Upon leaving the boat, we walked to the Yigal Allon Museum.  There we saw the excavated remains of an actual 2000 year old boat.

2000 year old boat                    Replica of boat

12 different woods used to build boat

We then walked back to the hotel for dinner, some relaxation and reflection, on all that we had seen on this first day in the Holy Land.