Trip to Holy Land - Day Seven

Today was Sunday, May 11, 2014 - Mothers' Day!  What a beautiful day it was to enjoy all of our activities we did today!

 
 We had breakfast in the hotel dining room and left our beautiful room by the Sea of Galilee.  

 Our bus route took us by the cemetery in Tiberias which goes back to the time when Herod Antipas founded what he hoped would be a showcase Roman city, but contrary to Jewish law, he built it on top of graves. Consequently, no self-respecting Jew would live there at first. Eventually, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, rebel against Rome and author of the Zohar, came to bathe in Tiberias’ hot springs and was cured of a skin ailment. He then conducted a ceremony to “purify Tiberias of its dead,” after which the city rose to prominence.

 We soon arrived at our destination and walked through this little park area down to the boat launch.

 There we boarded our boat to head out on the  
Sea of Galilee or Sea of Tiberias

 As soon as we left the dock, we heard "The Star Spangled Banner" start playing and the crew began hoisting the American flag.  To actually be on the sea where Peter, Andrew, James, and John who made their living from being fisherman and were called by Jesus to be "fishers of men" (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11) was just so emotional.  And now with the playing of the National Anthem for America that is such a choice land, it just brought tears to our eyes.

Today, the sea was calm, but you couldn't help thinking about the storm on this very Sea of Galilee described in Mark 4:37 when the winds came up, the waves broke over the boat, and it was nearly swamped.  Luke, also, describes the winds and raging waves in Luke 8.  Matthew calls it a furious storm without warning.

 People who are familiar with the area say that they have experienced "storms without warning" themselves.  The Sea of Galilee lies 680 feet below sea level.  Surrounded by hills that can reach 2000 feet high where there is cool, dry air contrasted by the warm, moist air directly around the sea causes large temperature and pressure changes.  This results in strong winds dropping to the sea, funneling through the hills.

The Sea of Galilee is small and only 200 feet deep at its greatest depth, so these winds may descend directly to the center of the lake with violent results.  A storm can arise quickly and without warning.  Small boats caught out on the sea are in immediate danger.

When a violent storm such as this happened when Jesus was aboard a ship with his disciples, they awoke Jesus who had been sleeping through it all.  He rebuked their fear of perishing by saying, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?"  Rebuking the winds and the sea, he said these words:  "Peace be still."  And the winds ceased, and there was a great calm.  The disciples were amazed and said, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"  (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41) 

 In addition to our Palestinian guide who knew so much about the area, we were blessed to have a couple (Brother and Sister Thompson) who had lived in the Holy Land for two years at the Brigham Young University Israel Campus.  Each day, they provided us with wonderful devotionals which they participated in, as well as members of our group, bringing the scriptures and feelings involved with the places we were staying.  Today, we ended the devotional by singing, "Master, the Tempest is Raging."  Then they turned off the boat engine to just allow us to feel that peace that Jesus talked about.  It was a time I will never forget! 

 The Sea of Galilee is, also, the place where the disciples were crossing after Jesus fed the five thousand.  He had stayed behind while he sent the multitudes home and he himself was going to the mountain to pray.  As the disciples were being tossed in the waves, they were afraid when they thought they saw a spirit walking towards them on the water.  But Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."  Peter then asked for the Lord to come to him that he might also be able to walk on the water.  But with the wind so "boisterous," he was afraid and cried out to the Lord to save him.  He was rebuked for his little faith, but was rescued by the Lord.  (Matt. 14:22-33)

The city of Capernaum, which Jesus called "his own city," (Matt. 9:1) lies on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and can be seen in the background. And finally, the Savior showed himself to his disciples here at this Sea in John 21 when he returned after his resurrection.  (The Sea of Galilee is also known as the Sea of Tiberias.)  

This “sea” is actually a lake but there is no Hebrew word for lake.  It is the largest fresh-water lake in Israel.  2/3 of Israel’s drinking water comes from the Sea of Galilee. The Jordan River flows through it.

The hills of the Golan Heights are visible to the north and east and goes north from the Sea to the border of Lebanon and east to the border of Syria.  

 The United States flag on one side, the Israeli flag on the other.

 We disembarked on the north end of the Sea of Galilee.

Here, close to the sea, there is much vegetation and even beautiful flowers growing.

Looking over at the Sea of Galilee and the olive vineyards.

We next went to a museum which housed a discovery that thrilled archaeologists and the general public alike!  In the winter of 1986, a drought brought the Sea of Galilee to its lowest level in memory.  An ancient ship was discovered in the mud.   It was so old and fragile, the archaeologists had to invent new techniques of excavation and preservation as they went along.  Just before the site was flooded again with the rising water, the almost completely intact hull was fully excavated, encased in polyurethane (as is demonstrated above) and floated to shore for further study and conservation.

Other items found in the area.

The archaeologists knew this was the first ancient ship ever found in the Sea of Galilee.  They suggested that it was built and used between 100 BC and 100 AD--the time of Jesus.  The Galilee boat dated back to the general time of Jesus' ministry.   It was the type used by Jesus and the Twelve, and was large enough to hold 13 men. It may have been in use at the same time He sailed the sea. He may have even seen it. BUT, there is no proof that this boat was ever actually used by Jesus or any of the disciples. 

  Leaving the Boat Museum, we went east at the top of the Sea of Galilee up to the

Mount of the Beatitudes 

Beatitudes means "blessed."

This Roman Catholic Church is located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and built on the traditional site of Jesus' delivery of the Sermon on the Mount.  Pilgrims are known to have commemorated this site since at least the 4th century.

We decided to see the overlook of the hill and the sea and then would walk back to go inside the church.

 We found a place, behind the church, on the rocks, to sit while Brother Thompson talked to us.      
Some interesting thoughts given by him:   The Beatitudes are interrelated – they don’t stand alone.  Which one can I be working on right now?  The real question is not, “Did I walk today where Jesus walked?” but “Am I walking where (how) Jesus wants me to walk today?”  Be ye therefore perfect (complete, whole, finished, fully developed).  He talked about most of the beatitudes and the beautiful truths within them.

The Mount of the Beatitudes is just a gorgeous spot--Up on a hill looking out over the Sea of Galilee.  So many beautiful flowers around the walkways.  

After our devotional, we went back up the hill to the Church of the Beatitudes.

The floor plan is octagonal, the eight sides representing the eight Beatitudes.  The church is Byzantine in style with a marble veneer casing the lower walls and gold mosaic in the dome.

The Beatitudes are on each of the windows above.

Along the pathway, the Beatitudes are written.

 The fishes in the rocks remind us that the feeding of the 5,000 with only five barley loaves and two small fish.

That just happened to be where we visited next:  Tabgha, which is the traditional site of the 
Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Mark 6:30-46) and where the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24) took place.

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes.  Although we didn't go in, the church on this site is an exact replica of the fourth century basilica built to commemorate the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. The mosaic floor features one of the most famous motifs in the country - the basket of bread flanked by two fish.  The church is built around a black rock underneath the Altar, reverenced as the rock upon which Jesus blessed and broke the bread, thus providing the miracle of being able to to feed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish.

Nearby, we went to Peter's Primacy. 

Tradition says that this is the place where Peter testified that Jesus is the Christ, and he is promised the keys of the kingdom.  (Matt. 16:13-19)

 This modern structure was built in 1933 and incorporates parts of an earlier 4th century church.  Foundations of the 4th century church are visible.  In the 9th century, the church was referred to as the Place of the Coals.  The name refers to the incident of Jesus' preparation of a meal for the apostles, building a charcoal fire on which to cook the fish. 

The church contains a projection of limestone rock in front of the present altar which is called the table of Christ.   According to tradition this is the spot where Jesus is said to have laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles, and told Peter to "Feed my sheep" after the miraculous catch, the third time he appeared to them after his resurrection.  (John 21:1-24)

We then walked down to the Beach – of small rocks and waded in the Sea of Galilee.

Don't we look like little kids just having fun wading in the cool water?!

We next visited the ancient city of 
 Capernaum
 
 Walking to where the ruins are.

Capernaum was a fishing village located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  It had a population of about 1,500.  


 Here, next to the ancient synagogue, we had another devotional where Brother Thompson reminded us that Capernaum was the home of many of Christ's apostles and the site of many miracles.  For example, the healing of the centurion's servant (Matt. 8:5-13).  Jesus selected this town as the center of his public ministry in the Galilee after he left the small mountainous hamlet of Nazareth.   (Matthew 4:12–17). --it was called "his own city." 


 The ruins of this building are among the oldest synagogues in the world. The synagogue appears to have been built around the 4th or 5th century. Beneath the foundation of this synagogue lies another foundation made of basalt, and experts suggest that this is the foundation of a synagogue from the 1st century, perhaps the one mentioned in the Gospels.

 The synagogue was built almost entirely of white blocks of calcareous stone brought from distant quarries.
 

 The door of the synagogue faces Jerusalem.

We know that in the city of Capernaum Jesus' Bread of Life sermon took place,  (John 6:25-65) when Jesus told the people that wanted a sign like their fathers who had received manna in the wilderness, that "My father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world."  When the people said they wanted this bread, he told them:  "I am the bread of life:  he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." 
In contrast to the white stones of the synagogue are the black basalt stones of the homes around the synagogue.  
 Given the coarse construction of the walls, there was no second story to a typical home, and the roof would have been constructed of light wooden beams and thatch mixed with mud. This, along with the discovery of the stairs to the roof, recalls the biblical story of the Healing of the Paralytic: "And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay." ( Mark  2:4) With the type of construction seen in Capernaum, it would not have been difficult to raise the ceiling by the courtyard stairs and to remove a part to allow the bed to be brought down to where Jesus stood.

 More of the ruins of the houses.  In the background is a peak-domed Greek Orthodox Church.

 Industrial stone tools that were used at ancient times for farming, such as several olive presses.

It is sad to note that the Savior chastised the residents of Capernaum for their haughtiness and told them they would be "brought down to hell:  for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."  (Matt. 11:23-24)  Brother Thompson reminded us that even Satan and his followers believe/know that Jesus actually performed miracles.  Knowing is not enough.   Living his teachings is necessary. 
Part of the synagogue stones showing a rendition of the Ark of the Covenant

Another rendition of the Ark of the Covenant
 

 A church near Capernaum is said to be the home of Peter.  It is round and very modern looking, but inside you can see the archeological excavations underneath.  This is where they say Jesus came to heal Peter-s mother-in-law (Matt. 8:14-15)

 More excavations underneath the church.

 

Leaving Capernaum

 We passed the Sapir Water Pumps.  These 3 huge pumps lift the water from the Sea of Galilee (205 meters below sea level) to 50 meters above sea level and into the National Water System.  

We ate lunch at a roadside stand – our first Israeli fast food place.  These were the choices:  Shawarma (turkey with veggies in a pita), Falafel (chickpeas and spices made into balls - with veggies in a pita), or Schnitzel (breaded chicken with veggies in a pita).  We chose the Schnitzel which was very good, but we soon would be tired of having this every day.  We probably were worse than the Children of Israel who complained of having manna every day for 40 years, but we only had to put up with it for 10 days!  Lunch was $11 US or $40 shekels.  (It was cheaper to pay with US!)  George was thrilled because we got ice cream bars there!  Delicious!

We drove back through the city of Tiberius to the end of the Sea of Galilee and just beyond to the Jordan River.  There is actually a dam there that prevents the Sea of Galilee water from flowing down the Jordan River.

Our next stop was Yardenit--The site is located on the banks of the Jordan River not far from where it flows out of the Sea of Galilee  southwards towards the Dead Sea.

Yardenit is the traditional Christian site for baptism and it is believed that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist near this spot. 

In this beautiful peaceful setting, surrounded by trees, groups of pilgrims wearing white robes stand in the water waiting to receive blessings from their priest or minister as they are baptized in the River Jordan.

Our guide told us that once the people are baptized, they take the white clothing home, never washing the Jordan River water out of the clothing--and then they are buried in that same clothing when they die.

We saw many catfish in the river.

One of the girls in our group started feeding them, and catfish as well as other types of fish eagerly came from all over.

Such a beautiful, peaceful river.  I can definitely imagine a place such as this for the baptism of the Savior.

We next traveled to the city of Nazareth--the city where Jesus grew up.  Today the population is made up predominantly of Arab citizens of Israel, almost all of whom are either Muslim (69 percent) or Christian (31 percent.)  We walked several blocks to get to the

 Church of the Annunciation. 

This is the traditional site of where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.  There are art mosaics of the annunciation or "Madonna and child" from various countries on the walls in the courtyard and large artwork inside the church.

 The cave that is enshrined inside the basilica was identified no later than the 4th century as the place of the Annunciation where Mary was told that she would bear the Christ child.

 Around the courtyard and inside the church were artist renditions from different countries of Mary and the Christ Child.

 I snapped a few that I thought my family my be interested in from places they had served their missions.

 I didn't see Brazil, but heard where it was from others after we had to leave for the bus.  Sorry!
 
 This had to be the strangest one of all--in my opinion.  And guess where it was from?  United States with the explanation below:

 Outside the church are archaeological diggings of the ancient village of Nazareth.

 

A statue in the courtyard of Mary.

We started our walk back to the bus.

After another very busy day, we stayed at the Crown Hotel in Nazareth.