Day 6 – Saturday, May 3: Hippos, Gamla, Capernaum, Boat Ride
Today was our third full day here in the north. Once again, our focus was upon Jesus and His ministry here in this region. The weather was again beautiful, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low 80s. We read portions from Matthew 5-7 (“Sermon on the Mount”) as we left the hotel at 7:30 once again following breakfast.
Hippos/Sussita
We traveled around the south end of the lake, passing by the southern Jordan River. Located on the southeast corner of the lake is Hippos/Sussita. Here at Hippos (a Decapolis city), we saw many Roman ruins. During the Byzantine Period (4th-6th centuries AD), there were no less than a half a dozen churches were built here. With a great view of the lake, we read the transformational story of the demoniac from Mark 5 (which most likely happened down near the lakeshore a bit further north).
Gamla
Next, we drove north on this eastern side of the lake. We made a brief stop at the only cliff area on this side before ascended into the Golan Heights. We made a second brief stop at a wonderful overlook of the area of Bethsaida (the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, see John 1). We read from Mark 8 (blind man from Bethsaida) and Luke 9 (Feeding of the 5,000, which took place in a “remote place” near Bethsaida). On the plateau of the Heights we arrived at Gamla. We saw a number of gazelles on the way! Gamla was a Jewish city that played a significant role in the First Revolt (66 AD). The Romans came here and defeated the city run 67 AD. Seven in the group walked down (and then back up) the difficult trail to the excavations far below. We entered the 1st century synagogue where we remembered Jesus teaching in synagogues like this (Matthew 9). Even though Gamla is not mentioned in the Gospels, there is a high probability that Jesus taught from this rectangular synagogue!
“This was our third full day here in the north. Once again, we spent the entire day around (and “on”) the Sea of Galilee, retracing the life and ministry of Jesus. Learning more about Jesus in the context of the land and culture has been illuminating!”
Capernaum
Our last archaeological site of the day, Capernaum, is 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; 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 Luke 8 and Mark 9. Serving in Christ’s kingdom requires a heart of humility and servanthood. We enjoyed some reflective time here before leaving.
Boat Ride
Our last stop of the day was to Nof Ginnosar we we embarked on our hour-long boat ride. Being out on the water was inspirational! Pastor John (from Georgia) shared the stories of Matthew 14 and Mark 4 with us. Jesus cares for us, especially when we encounter the “storms” of life.
Sailing back to the dock, we returned to the shoreline, boarded our bus, and drove back to our hotel in Tiberias. It was a great day of focusing upon Jesus!
Day 7 – Sunday, May 4: Beth Shean, Shiloh, Jericho, Dead Sea
