DAY 7 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 23: HIPPOS/SUSSITA, CHORAZIN, CAPERNAUM, MAGDALA, OPTIONAL BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN RIVER
We work up to a beautiful sunrise this morning on the Sea of Galilee. The predicted rain didn’t come until shortly after noon today, so we felt blest. The temps were around 60. We spent the entire day around the Sea of Galilee.
Hippos/Sussita
We read Matthew 4 as we departed today at 7:40. We traveled around the north end of the lake and then south on the east side to Hippos/Sussita. On the way we made a brief stop to see the cliffs mentioned in Mark 5. At Hippos (a Decapolis city), we saw many Roman ruins. During the Byzantine Period, five churches were built here. With a great view of the lake, we read the transformational story of the demoniac from Mark 5.
Chorazin
We retraced our route back to the northwest corner of the lake to city mentioned in the Gospels, Chorazin. The ruins we saw here are primarily 3rd century AD. In the synagogue we read from Matthew 23. Recent excavations here may have revealed a 1st century level below. We also saw a wine press and an impressive mikve (ritual bath).
Capernaum
Close by down on the shoreline of the lake is the location of Capernaum. This was the “home base” for his ministry here in the Galilee. Sitting in the 5th century synagogue, we read from Mark 1,2,9; Luke 7; and John 6. We also saw many 1st century house structure ruins dating to the time of Jesus. As we left the wind picked up, causing large waves on the lake.
Magdala
Next, we drove to the Plain of Genesseret and the ancient city of Magdala. This was a large Jewish city in the days of Jesus. We saw a modest 1st century synagogue here. Although the city is only mentioned once (Matthew 16), Jesus must have taught here. We saw a few more ritual baths as well. We also visited the modern chapel where wall mosaics are displayed.
“We feel blessed to have a rain-free morning as we visited Hippos, Chorazin, Capernaum, and Magdala. We literally walked in the footsteps of Jesus today! The 1st century synagogue at Magdala was especially neat to think that Jesus most likely taught here! Jesus transformed the lives of many people!”
Yardenit
Following a great fish lunch, we drove to the southern end of the lake to Yardenit. Six in the group reaffirmed their faith as they were immersed in the waters of the Jordan River. It was a bit cold, but the experience warmed our hearts.
Kinneret Cemetery
We ended the day at the Kinneret Cemetery. This is where an early Jewish pioneer woman named “Rachel” is buried. She was an Ukrainian Jew who wrote poems, some of which were put to songs. She died in 1931.
We returned to our hotel for another “dinner feast” and enjoyed a free evening.
DAY 8 – MONDAY, JANUARY 24: GAMLA, KATZRIN, SYRIAN BORDER, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, DAN
