Day 4 – Friday, September 6: Arbel, Yardenit, Magdala, Ancient Boat, Capernaum, Bethsaida (Theme of the Day: Walking as “Talmidim” of Jesus)
We spent the entire day around the Sea of Galilee, with a focus on the life and ministry of Jesus. It was a sunny and hot day, with highs in the mid 90s. It included a hike, some reflection time, a visit to a cemetery, and visits to ancient sites connected with Jesus. We read from Mathew 4 as we left the hotel at 7:35.
Mt. Arbel
We drove slightly to the north from Tiberias in order to get to the trailhead of our Mt. Arbel hike. Seven in the group made the hike, while the others bused with Shlomo and David through Tiberias to the visitor center. They ascended to the top from there. Despite the summer haze, the view from on top was still amazing. While we cannot be sure (since Arbel is not mentioned in the Gospels, although Josephus mentions Arbela in Antiquities 14.415), maybe this was where the Jesus’ Transfiguration took place (Mt. 17), or where he taught (perhaps on the lower northern slopes) the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7). It is also very possible that on top of Arbel was where Jesus met His disciples following His resurrection and shared the Great Commission (Mt. 28). Before we ended our gathering on top, Shlomo read the first portion of Matthew 5 (the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount) in Hebrew for us. Back at the visitor center, we refreshed ourselves with a cool drink before boarding our bus.
Yardenit/Jordan River
From here, we drove directly to the southern end of the lake to Yardenit. One in the group (Scott) reaffirmed his faith in the Jordan River. The water was warm (unlike the cold water in the winter months). It was a special time for everyone, setting ourselves apart for service in God’s kingdom. We also read from John 1 about Jesus’ baptism further south at “Bethany Beyond the Jordan.”
Kinneret Cemetery
From the southern end of the lake we now drove back north along the southwestern shoreline of the lake. We included an extra stop at the Kinneret Cemetery. This is where an early Jewish pioneer woman named “Rachel” is buried. Shlomo shared about her life. She was an Ukrainian Jew who wrote poems, some of which were put to songs. Rachel was born in 1890 and died in 1931.
Magdala
From here we drove through Tiberias to the Plain of Genesseret and to 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 15 when Jesus sails into “Magadan”), Jesus must have taught here! We saw a few more ritual baths as well. Archaeologists suggest that a second 1st century synagogue was discovered a few years ago on the other side of the road.
Ancient Boat
Next, we drove along the western side of the lake to Nof Ginnosar. In the museum here we saw an ancient 1st century wooden boat that was discovered in 1986. It was a boat similar to this that was used by fishermen in the days of Jesus. Can you picture all the disciples and Jesus crowded into a boat like this during a storm? (Mark 4)
Capernaum
Next, we drove to Capernaum, located on the NW corner of the lake. This Jewish town served as Jesus’ “home base” for His Galilean ministry. In the late 4th/early 5th century synagogue, we read from Mark 1, 2; Luke 7, 8; and John 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.
“It was incredible to experience the life and ministry of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee. The whole day we literally walked in His footsteps! Climbing up Arbel and then visiting Magdala, Capernaum and Bethsaida was special! The Gospel narratives came alive today!”
Bethsaida / Et Tel
We added an additional site to end the day. We tried to get to Tel el-Araj, a new archaeological site for the site of Bethsaida, but the new closed gate on the dirt road prevented us from reaching the site. So we drove to the other site suggested to be Bethsaida. It is called Et Tel. Here we walked around the Old Testament site identified by most as the capital of the kingdom of Geshur. We saw a four-chambered gate city walls, and a few stele here. There is only very limited ruins from the time of Jesus here. Bethsaida, located on the northern end of the lake, was the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1). We also read the story of the blind man being healed by Jesus (Mark 8), and the story of the Feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9).
We drove back to our hotel in Tiberias for a free late afternoon and dinner. It was another great day here in Israel with no issues of safety or concern whatsoever!
Day 5 – Saturday, September 7: Gamla, Hippos/Susita, Boat Ride, Cana, Precipice of Nazareth] (Theme of the Day: Guarding our borders!)
