DAY 4 – THURSDAY, JANUARY 26:
The climb up Mt. Arbel
We spent the entire day around the Sea of Galilee. Once again greeted by sun and mild temps as we started the day, we began with Mt. Arbel. With another imagine Tours & Travel group (the TBA Church group from Lakeland, FL) joining us, many of us climbed this 800 foot mountain while others bussed to the top from the other side. The view from the top provided as an almost panoramic perspective of the Sea of Galilee below. We remembered a number of passages from the Gospels pertaining to the Sea of Galilee and the sharing of parables (e.g. Matthew 4 & 13).
Driving down through Tiberias, we arrived next at Magdala. This was where Mary Magdalene was from. Here we saw a 1st century synagogue from the time of Jesus (only one of seven found in Israel). No doubt Jesus taught here! We also enjoyed singing in the beautiful chapel. The acoustics were wonderful!
The 1st century synagogue at Magdala. Jesus would have taught here!
Next, Capernaum was our next site. This was the “ministry home base” for Jesus here in the Galilee. Sitting in the 5th century synagogue, we read from Mark 1,2, and 9; Luke 7; and John 6. Many events took place here. Here we also saw 1st century remains of stone houses as well as a 5th century Byzantine church. We enjoyed a quiet time on the shoreline as well.
After lunch, we saw the “Jesus Boat,” a 1st century boat found in 1986 in the mud of the shoreline of the lake. It was amazing to be able to picture Jesus and the disciples in this boat. From here we took our own boat ride on the lake. We read from Mark 4 and Matthew 14, the two storm narratives about Jesus calming the storm. It was a special time of reflection and worship.
Sunset on the Sea of Galilee from the Mt. of Beatitudes
Next, we drove to the southern end of the lake. Here, the southern end of the Jordan River begins. We saw a few people being baptized here. Close by is the Kinneret Cemetery where the famous “Rachel” (a Ukrainian Jew) was buried. She was an early pioneer who lived in Israel’s first kibbutz located here at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. She was born in 1890. She died in 1931.
We ended the day by driving back north to the Mt. of Beatitudes. We heard Matthew 5 read in both Hebrew and English. We spent a few moments of quiet reflecting upon this kingdom message of Jesus. With the sun setting, we walked down the path that leads down to the water’s edge.
Driving back to our hotel, we enjoyed dinner together and a free evening. It was a great day here in the Galilee!
DAY 5 – FRIDAY, JANUARY 27: BEIT SHEAN, SHILOH, JERICHO, DEAD SEA