Day 4 – Monday, May 8: Sepphoris, Kh. Cana/Beit Netofa Valley, Mt. Of Beatitudes, Capernaum
Today was another great day. The weather was perfect, with mostly sunny skies and temps in the mid 70s. The day included going to a site where no other “DeLancey” group (or any group for that matter) ever went, Khirbet Cana! It was day that was both adventurous and inspirational as we began to connect with the life and ministry of Jesus. We left the hotel at 7:35, reading from John 4 on our way to our first site.
Sepphoris
Our first site, Sepphoris (called Zippori in Hebrew) was only a 20 minute drive from Nazareth. This was the most prominent Jewish yet Hellenized city in the Lower Galilee in the days of Jesus. As a young boy and as an itinerate rabbi, Jesus must visited this city many times even though it is not mentioned in the Gospels specifically by name. We saw impressive stone streets/pavements, a small theater, and many beautiful mosaics here. This included the famous “Mono Lisa of the Galilee” mosaic.
Khirbet Cana (Biblical Cana)
From here we drove north through a few Arab cities (Arrabe) to get to the northern side of the Beit Netofa Valley. We took a dirt road to get to Khirbet Cana. Most in the group climbed up to the top of this very “off the beaten path” archaeological site. While standing in what was possibly the 1st century synagogue we read from John 2 about Jesus turning water into wine here. Cana is also mentioned in the end of John 4. We were the first “DeLancey” group ever to come here (and no doubt the only “tourist” group ever to come here too)!! It was so fun and exciting to be where where Jesus miraculous power was displayed!
“It was both an adventurous and inspirational day! It was a day of connecting with Jesus too! In the morning we went to a site not visited by any group (Cana), and then later in the afternoon we visit Capernaum where Jesus made His ‘home base.’ It was wonderful!”
Mt. of Beatitudes
Because the road to “Hill 713” in the Upper Galilee was closed, we drove to the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. Here we visited the traditional Mt. of Beatitudes (since our usual place is now blocked off with a high fence and gate). Sitting on the side of the hill, we heard Shlomo read the Beatitudes in Hebrew. We visited the chapel (designed by the Italian Antonio Barluzzi in the 1930s) and the grounds before loading back on the buses.
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. Gathered in the 5th century synagogue (with he 1st century one below us), we read from Mark 1,2; Luke 7,8; and John 6. We also saw many 1st century house structure ruins dating to the time of Jesus. After going into the chapel to see the suggested “house of Peter” (seen below through the plexiglass floor), we ended our visit down on the shoreline of the lake. Here we read the tender passage recored in Mark 9 about humility and servanthood. We enjoyed a time of quiet reflection on the rocks of the lake before returning to the bus.
We drove to our “kibbutz-hotel” ( Nof Ginnosar) where we checked in and had some free time before dinner. Following another great meal we walked down to the water’s edge to enjoy the beauty of the evening!
Day 5 – Tuesday, May 9: Hippos/Susita, Qatzrin, Syrian Border, Caesarea Philippi, Dan
