Day 3: We had a great day today that culminated with many in our group being baptized in the Jordan River at Yardenit. We began by eating a hearty breakfast and then loading up our bus. Hasim, our driver, was ready to go at 8:00 sharp.
Mount of Beatitudes
Our first stop was at the Mount of Beatitudes. It is easy to imagine Jesus standing at the crest of a mountain or a short distance from the shore speaking to hundreds or even thousands of eager listeners about the Kingdom of God. We were reminded that the area around Galilee is where Jesus spent most of his time on Earth. It is such a beautiful, green, rich land. We read Matthew 5 together on the mountain. Then, we spent time in private reflection. It was a moving experience, and we gained new perspective as we read this passage in the location where it was formed on the lips of our Savior.
Church of the Multiplication
From the Mount of Beatitudes, we went slightly down the mountain to the Church of the Multiplication. This reconstruction of a Byzantine church build in the fifth century was erected to commemorate the miracle of Jesus' feeding of the five thousand. Although Jesus had 2 fish and 5 loaves, there are only 4 loaves in the basket of the mosaic inside the church. Our guide explained that the bread represents the body of Christ. Thus, we as believers are the fifth loaf. We read John 6:1-14 before exploring inside to see the original fish and loaves mosaic.
Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter
Continuing our journey down the mountain, we next visited the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter which is build where John 21 takes place. We walked all the way to the Sea of Galilee and meditated on what it would have been like to see the resurrected Lord face to face and cooking you breakfast!
Kibbutz Ginnosar
Next we stopped at the ancient boat museum. This museum is dedicated to the wooden boat that was uncovered in 1986 after a very dry season when the water greatly receded. This vessel was buried deep in mud on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Studies suggest it is a first century fishing boat. So it is likely very much like the ones that Jesus and his disciples would have used on the lake.
Here we are gathering up to embark on our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We are having the most perfect weather. So thankful!
Sea of Galilee Boat Ride
Now that we had seen an actual boat from Jesus' day, it was time for our own boat ride. We were glad to see that our craft was named The Faith Boat. Ellie led us in singing Holy Spirit. We also listened to other worship songs as we rode across this water that our Lord traversed so frequently. Everyone felt a sense of peace and calm as they contemplated Jesus walking on this water and calming a storm.
Magdala
In 2005 when a Catholic retreat center's foundation was being dug, they discovered a first century synagogue where it is certain that Jesus taught. As archeologists continued to dig, they discovered an entire first century Jewish town lying just below the surface. This is an active site and home to Magdala Stone.
Lunch in Tiberias
We returned to the city of Tiberias for a lunch of fresh fish from the Sea of Galilee. As many of us ate whole fish (yes, including eyes and head) we reflected back on our time by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus prepared fish for the disciples. Not only were we walking where Jesus walked, we were now eating what Jesus ate!
Capernaum
After lunch, we headed north along the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. After being rejected in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum as his base of ministry. We saw the remains of the synagogue where Jesus cast out an evil spirit from a man, and Peter's house where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law (see Mark 1:21-35). Peter's house became a gathering place for the early church and a larger area was enclosed. Centuries later, Christians honored the site by building a church that was later destroyed. The remains of both the synagogue and Peter's home have been covered somewhat by new structures designed to protect and commemorate the sites.
Yardenit - The Baptismal Site on the Jordan River
Many of our students and parents chose to be baptized in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). Mr. Davenport was thrilled to be able to baptize the students he has been pouring his life into since he met them!
We were able to rent robes and towels for the experience. The also provide very clean bathrooms to change out of our wet robes.
After we finished at the Jordan River, we headed back to Tiberias for a little down time before dinner. We enjoy our fellowship over meals. This is a very amiable group and really seems to enjoy each other's company.
After dinner, some people went to McDonald's for ice cream, some turned in early, and some are still hanging out playing cards outside with Mr. D. Every once in a while a hear their cheers.
It has been a really memorable day. I'm sure we will contemplate our experiences many times over the coming weeks and months. Tomorrow we depart again at 8:00 for Caesarea Philippi and other areas to the north. Mr. D has been looking forward to this day since we first started planning the trip.
Shalom (Goodnight from the Sea of Galilee.)
Mount of Beatitudes
Our first stop was at the Mount of Beatitudes. It is easy to imagine Jesus standing at the crest of a mountain or a short distance from the shore speaking to hundreds or even thousands of eager listeners about the Kingdom of God. We were reminded that the area around Galilee is where Jesus spent most of his time on Earth. It is such a beautiful, green, rich land. We read Matthew 5 together on the mountain. Then, we spent time in private reflection. It was a moving experience, and we gained new perspective as we read this passage in the location where it was formed on the lips of our Savior.
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| And off we go on a gorgeous morning in our bus. |
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| The Sea of Galilee |
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| Each beatitude is written separately forming a beautiful garden walkway |
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| Fares giving us history on this site |
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| Mrs. Starnes reading from Matthew 5 |
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| An art piece hanging over the entrance that depicts the sermon on the mount. |
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| The Byzantine Church at the Mount of Beatitudes |
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| Most important sites in scripture have churches built on top of them. This helps protect the site but definitely alters the visual impression of the location. The churches were usually built in the early years of Christianity. |
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| It was hazy over the lake this morning but this view was still gorgeous. |
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| Looking down towards the lake from the Mount of Beatitudes |
From the Mount of Beatitudes, we went slightly down the mountain to the Church of the Multiplication. This reconstruction of a Byzantine church build in the fifth century was erected to commemorate the miracle of Jesus' feeding of the five thousand. Although Jesus had 2 fish and 5 loaves, there are only 4 loaves in the basket of the mosaic inside the church. Our guide explained that the bread represents the body of Christ. Thus, we as believers are the fifth loaf. We read John 6:1-14 before exploring inside to see the original fish and loaves mosaic.
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| Abby and other students listen attentively to our guide |
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| Mrs. Mynatt reading John 6:1-14 |
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| an early church baptismal pool |
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| Tabgha (meaning seven springs) is the location of the church |
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| Dr. Ibach photo-bombs Sarah, Hailey, and Hannah |
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| Chance and his dad have their own photo op! |
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| Ellie, Annie, and Lisa share their experiences |
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| A Byzantine icon of Mary and Jesus |
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| The original floor of the church can been seen under the glass. These Byzantine tiles date to 300 A.D. |
Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter
Continuing our journey down the mountain, we next visited the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter which is build where John 21 takes place. We walked all the way to the Sea of Galilee and meditated on what it would have been like to see the resurrected Lord face to face and cooking you breakfast!
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| The rock where Jesus ate breakfast with his disciples after the resurrection is now enclosed in a church to protect it from the elements. |
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| The Sea of Galilee where Jesus asked Peter three times "do you love me?" We took time for quiet meditation and reading scripture on the shore. |
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| Sam looks out on the Sea of Galilee |
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| Sarah and Rachael at the edge of the Sea of Galilee |
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| Hannah |
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| Reed |
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| Abby |
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| Jill |
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| Sam |
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| Lexi |
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| Annie |
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| Hailey |
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| Jeff and Jaide |
Next we stopped at the ancient boat museum. This museum is dedicated to the wooden boat that was uncovered in 1986 after a very dry season when the water greatly receded. This vessel was buried deep in mud on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Studies suggest it is a first century fishing boat. So it is likely very much like the ones that Jesus and his disciples would have used on the lake.
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| Keegan and Chancelor with the "Jesus" boat. |
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| Sarah |
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| Davenport being a great fisherman! |
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| Mr. D's memorial at the Sea of Galilee |
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| Christian |
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| They still fish on the Sea of Galilee today. We will get to eat fish, if we chose, at lunch today. |
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| The Sea of Galilee used to reach these rocks. The water is greatly reduced. This is because the water from the Jordan River is being diverted to the dry, southern part of Israel. |
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| Another view of the first century fishing boat. |
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| We saw a short, five minute film about the discovery of this first century boat. |
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| Nails used to build the boat. These were the first artifacts found to indicate a larger archeological find. |
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| The Teachers! |
Now that we had seen an actual boat from Jesus' day, it was time for our own boat ride. We were glad to see that our craft was named The Faith Boat. Ellie led us in singing Holy Spirit. We also listened to other worship songs as we rode across this water that our Lord traversed so frequently. Everyone felt a sense of peace and calm as they contemplated Jesus walking on this water and calming a storm.
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| They raised the American flag since we were mostly Americans. |
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| We had such a sweet time of fellowship on the boat. We sang Oceans with the boat crew. Mr. D and Ellie also led us in singing, Holy Spirit (You are Welcome Here) |
In 2005 when a Catholic retreat center's foundation was being dug, they discovered a first century synagogue where it is certain that Jesus taught. As archeologists continued to dig, they discovered an entire first century Jewish town lying just below the surface. This is an active site and home to Magdala Stone.
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| Entering the excavation site. |
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| Remains of the synagogue where Jesus taught and healed in Magdala |
We returned to the city of Tiberias for a lunch of fresh fish from the Sea of Galilee. As many of us ate whole fish (yes, including eyes and head) we reflected back on our time by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus prepared fish for the disciples. Not only were we walking where Jesus walked, we were now eating what Jesus ate!
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| An interesting sculpture of the Sea of Galilee. |
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| Our lunch restaurant that served us "Peter" fish, kebabs, and chicken. |
Capernaum
After lunch, we headed north along the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. After being rejected in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum as his base of ministry. We saw the remains of the synagogue where Jesus cast out an evil spirit from a man, and Peter's house where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law (see Mark 1:21-35). Peter's house became a gathering place for the early church and a larger area was enclosed. Centuries later, Christians honored the site by building a church that was later destroyed. The remains of both the synagogue and Peter's home have been covered somewhat by new structures designed to protect and commemorate the sites.
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| Ellie and Hannah enjoy sitting where Jesus may have sat with his disciples |
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| Ruins of a synagogue built in the 5th century. |
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| The foundation of Peter's house in Capernaum |
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| A statue of Peter |
Many of our students and parents chose to be baptized in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). Mr. Davenport was thrilled to be able to baptize the students he has been pouring his life into since he met them!
We were able to rent robes and towels for the experience. The also provide very clean bathrooms to change out of our wet robes.
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| All the baptismal candidates |
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| Chance |
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| Christian |
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| Cricket |
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| Sarah |
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| Hannah |
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| Abby |
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| Keegan |
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| Mrs. Carroll heads into the chilly water for her baptism |
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| Our baptized group |
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| Mr. Davenport with the students who were baptized |
It has been a really memorable day. I'm sure we will contemplate our experiences many times over the coming weeks and months. Tomorrow we depart again at 8:00 for Caesarea Philippi and other areas to the north. Mr. D has been looking forward to this day since we first started planning the trip.
Shalom (Goodnight from the Sea of Galilee.)
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