Israel, Day 4

Israel, Day 4

Up at 0515 and down to the Sea of Galilee to watch the sunrise.  Great breakfast at our kibbutz.  

Walked to our first stop, a museum where a first century boat discovered under many layers of mud is displayed.  Then on to a boat to sail on the Sea of Galilee.  to say it is a moving experience is cheapening it!

Next stop was the Mount of the Beatitudes.  The Fransiscans have a chapel on the sight where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  The acoustics are amazing.  It was not a difficult exercise to picture 30,000 people on that hillside or to imagine Jesus being able to deliver the sermon so they could all hear.  An amazing place to re-read those chapters from Matthew.

Next stop was Korazim, one of the cities Jesus proclaims 'woe' to.  Archeologists have discovered a ritual bath, a tri-clennium table (a stone u-shaped table that will seat up to 16), and a synagogue with the only first century 'Moses seat' discovered.

Next to St Peter's Restaurant near Capernaum for St Peter's fish

After lunch to the ruins of the city of Bethsaida, the home of Andrew, Bartholomew, and Peter.  Next stop was the city of Tagbah where one of the miraculous feedings is said to have occurred.

Next stop was Capernaum where Peter's mother-in-law was healed.  A church is built over the sight.  We also were at the ruins of the first century synagogue and looked at several carvings and learned about the origins of the six pointed star.

Our final stop of the day was the Yardenit on the Jordan River where several in our group renewed their baptisms.  I didn't, but have two bottles of water from the Jordan to bring back for baptisms at home!

Tomorrow is the Dead Sea and then on to the Mount of Olives and 7 days in Jerusalem.

Kevin Phipps,  Sent from my iPad