Thankfully, our group seems to have recovered quickly from the effects of jetlag and we’re most thankful for that. It sets us up for good experiences going forward.
Our first stop of the day was ONE FOR ISRAEL, home of Israel College of the Bible (the only accredited Hebrew-speaking Christian college in the world). For me personally, it was good to connect with Israeli co-workers, including very quick hellos with Dr Erez Soref, OFI’s president, and Dr Seth Postell, a highly acclaimed lecturer at ICB. It is always a joy to spend time with Dr Sheila Gyllenberg, an archaeologist and lucturer at ICB, as well as my counterpart in the Israel office. We also heard from a master storyteller, Dr Golan Broshi as he shared his incredibly interesting testimony. We got the longer version, but if you want to hear the recorded version, you can find it here.
From there, we made the 1.5 hour journey eastward to the Sea if Galilee. Our first sight of the sea was just before we arrived at Magdala. The hometown of Mary Magdelene is always a hit and this was no exception. We saw the excavated synagogue, new excavations of the ancient village, and the famous boat chapel constructed with a huge glass window looking out upon the Sea of Galilee.
There is special significance to Magdala. Though we know Jesus roamed the area teaching and doing miracles, there are relatively few spots in Israel we can say with 100% certainty that Jesus was in this exact spot. Magdala is one place that Jesus almost certainly taught as He “went about all the cities and villages [in the Galilee region], teaching in their synagogues.” The synagogue was discovered in the early 2000’s, and with it, the Magdala Stone, a pulpit-like structure upon which Jesus would have unrolled the scroll to teach.
The chapel at Magdala is highlighted by the Galilee boat that serves as the pulpit and platform in the chapel. Another popular feature is the rotunda whose accoustics make even the “joyful noises” sound angelic. Finally, murals cover the walls of many side rooms, the most memorable being the woman touching the hem of Jesus’ robe. (Luke 8:43-48)
(Photo credit: Geyce Heredia, tour guest)
From Magdala, we traveled a few short miles to Tabgha, one of my personal favorites. Not only does the site represent a possible spot where Jesus sent weary fishermen back out to “cast nets on the other side” (John 21:1-14) but also the likely spot Jesus restored Peter three times following his three denials of Jesus (John 21:15-19). Who of us can’t identify with Peter’s blunders!
Every tour group seems to have a bonding moment. This group experienced that moment as several guests made their way across the rocky shore to put their feet in the Sea of Galilee. Following a few minutes of frolicking, guests began washing sand off one another’s feet…a beautiful representation of Jesus’ example of foot washing.
No tour of the Galilee would be complete without a stop at Capernaum, known as Jesus’ hometown. The Bible records more miracles of Jesus in Capernaum than anywhere else, among them the lame man who was lowered through the ceiling to be healed by Jesus, the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed, Jarius’ daughter who was healed, as well as casting out of demons and many other marvelous works. There, we see a restored synagogue rebuilt atop one that Jesus likely entered, as well as Peter’s home where Jesus often taught, and likely stayed when in Capernaum.
Our final stop of the day was at the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). There in a natural amphitheater, it is believed Jesus taught the multitudes. Nestled on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, this quiet place provides a magnificent vieew of the entire sea. From our vantage point, we saw the east and west shorelines, as well as the far southern tip of the sea.
We checked into our resort hotel at Maagen Eden at the southern tip of Israel, where we will call home for a couple of nights. It was a long day and we were ready for a good night’s sleep.
Tomorrow, our journey takes us north from the Galilee to the borders with Lebanon and Syria. Along the way, we will see Gamla, a reconstructed first century Talmudic village, Misgav Am, and Tel Hazor. It will be another full day of adventure! Stay tuned for that update tomorrow!
