Israel Tour: Journal Day 2

In the sun on the Sea!

Praise the Lord! I opened the curtains to a sunlit Sea of Galilee! And sure enough, just after our salad buffet breakfast our group walked down the road a couple blocks and loaded aboard a wooden boat to set sail! While we sailed North our group mingled and snapped photos. Pastor Gary gave a morning devotional and we sang a few worship songs.

Our boat docked near the town of Magnala, the town of Mary Magdalene. We toured a small museum with an excavated boat exhibit.  Years ago a small fishing boat was found in the muddy sea shore and was carefully removed. Scientists studied the wood and have found 13 different kinds of wood/tree branches were used in its construction. This is a common fishing boat that would have been used in Jesus' time.

Next we drove up the Mount of Beatitudes-a high ridge area-and sat overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Pastor Andy read the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. As we sat and gazed at the Sea below us, and read through the Beatitudes…we were instructed Jesus was once here teaching his followers. He would stand near the lower end of the hill and speak looking up the hill as people would sit looking down. They would be able to hear his voice clearly as the hills and valley create a natural voice amplifier. That would have been cool to hear Jesus teach!

Back in the bus we were on our way down to the Sea of Galilee shores. That’s right we walked down to the rocky beach area filled with rocks and lapping waves. What a bright beautiful day it was. Here, we gathered and heard Pastor Gary remind us of the story from John 21, where Jesus makes a fish breakfast on the beach for his disciple Peter and asks him three times if he loves him.

Back on the road we drove to Jesus’ boyhood town, Capernaum. We walked through the town and saw the house ruins of Peter, a carved picture of the Ark of the Covenant being moved, and sat in the town synagogue ruins. What a place this was-at one time, Jesus was here. He would heal people, teach groups, and challenge them to change their lives and live for Him.

Finally it was time to eat, so we drove to a nearby Kibbutz and devoured a fresh fish and pita bread lunch!

We finished our day tour by driving around to the southern side of the Sea of Galilee where the Jordan River flows South. There is a baptism park here where groups can gather and perform ceremonial baptisms. Several from our group wanted to follow in Jesus’ example-and despite the extremely cold water-this was an experience I won’t forget!

On our way back to the hotel we had to stop by a nearby Starbucks rival, Café Aroma for some much needed warm coffee.  Mmm, well timed, well made and well appreciated!

Not only was this entire day bright and warmed by the sun, but the reoccurring theme from our teachings and tour sites was “let your light shine.”