Day 4 – Wednesday, February 22: Arbel, Yardenit, Jordan River Baptism, Magdala, Capernaum, Ancient Boat, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride
Today was a beautiful sunny day, with temps in the low 70s. We spent the entire day all around the area of the Sea of Galilee. There were many biblical connections today, specifically with a focus on the life and ministry of Jesus. We left our hotel at 7:20, reading from Matthew 4 on the way to the trailhead of Arbel in the Valley of the Doves.
Arbel
We began the day by visiting Mt. Arbel, a mountain on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. About 30 in the group choose to hike the challenging trail that ascended about 1,100 feet to the top, while the others drove around the back side and walked to the top from the visitor center. Even though it was a bit hazy, the view of the lake was spectacular. We could even see the snow-capped Mt. Hermon about 35 miles to the north of the Sea of Galilee. We can’t know for sure, but it could have been the lower slopes of Arbel where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7) or the top of Arbel where Jesus met His disciples after His resurrection and shared the Great Commission (Matthew 28).
Yardenit/Baptism
We drove to the southern end of the lake where the Lower Jordan begins. Here 32 in the group reaffirmed their faith in baptism in the Jordan River at a place called Yardenit. Jesus Himself was baptized at Bethany Beyond the Jordan further south across from Jericho (John 1). The experience was special for all of us!
Kinneret Cemetery
Near by the southern end of the lake is the Kinneret Cemetery. Many Jews who were pioneers to the land in the late 19th and early 20th century are buried here. This includes Rachel Bluwstone, an Ukrainian who wrote many poems. Shlomo shared with us about kibbutz life. He also read, sang, and played some of her poems now put to tunes. She died in 1931. Her picture appears on Israel’s 20 shekel bill today!
Magdala
We drove back through Tiberias to the northwest side of the lake where we visited Magdala. Here, we saw an impressive but simple 1st century synagogue. There are only seven (or eight, depending on how you count them) synagogues that date to the time of Jesus in the country. Magdala is only mentioned once in the Gospels (Matthew 16). We also saw a few ritual baths (mikveh or mikvot, plural).
“Today was a day of focusing on Jesus. We literally walked in His footsteps today. The entire day was spent around and even on the Sea of Galilee with a boat ride to end the day. From Arbel, to the Magdala and Capernaum, His life and ministry came alive today!”
Capernaum
After a wonderful St. Peter’s Fish lunch in Magdala, we visited Capernaum. This Jewish town served as Jesus’ “home base” for His Galilean ministry. In the early 5th century synagogue, we read from Mark 1, 2; Luke 7, 8; and John 4, 6. We also saw the Byzantine church, octagonal in shape, that dates to about the same time period. This ancient church surrounds a 1st century house structure suggested, by tradition and archaeology, to be Peter’s house. Down on the lakeshore, we read from Mark 9. Serving in Christ’s kingdom requires a heart of humility and servanthood.
Ancient Boat / Boat Ride
We completed our day by driving back past the traditional Mt. of Beatitudes to Nof Ginnosar where the ancient boat is displayed. This was a 1st century wooden vessel discovered in 1986 by two brothers of the kibbutz here. From here we walked out to the dock where we embarked on our own almost hour-long boat ride. Being out on the water towards sunset was spectacular! We enjoyed a time of worship and praise. We also read Mark 4 and Matthew 14 about the two storm narratives. Jesus cares for us, especially when we encounter the “storms” of life.
Sailing back to the dock, we returned to our rooms to freshen up for dinner! It was a great day of focusing upon Jesus!
Day 5 – Thursday, February 23: Hippos, Beth Shean, Jericho, Dead Sea
