Israel/Jordan 2019

We then Journeyed to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee where the Jordan river runs sounds. It is here that people get baptized. We then went on to a place where back in 1986 they found a boat in the shore of Galilee that dates to the time of Jesus, 2000 years old. With some ingenuity they were able to extract it out and its on display at a museum close by. We then retired to a wonderful evening. The day was hot, 104 Fahrenheit with high humidity but everyone had a good attitude! Great group!

we took the boat across the lake to a kibbutz where we were served St Peter’s fish, the fish that Jesus had Peter catch and he found a coin for the tax they owed...I want Jesus for my tax guy! We had the choice of the fish with or without the head...Midge and I chose with!!!

We then went to Capernaum, the home base of Jesus ministry where he healed many, including Peter’s mother in law, taught in the synagogue and spent much time. We then took a boat on the Sea itself, so beautiful!

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, to...

Not far from the Church of the Beatitudes is the Church of the multiplication of the fish and loaves. This church, of course, commemorates the feeding of the 5000. Notice the mosaic of the fish and loaves. In the story a young boy shares his 5 loaves and 2 fish. But in the mosaic, there are only 4 loaves represented...why? Because Jesus is the 5th loaf as the Bread of Life!

The Church of the Beatitudes is a beautiful place dedicated to the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7. Here Jesus proclaims 8 specific ways believers are blessed as they produce deep spiritual fruit when applied. Mourning turns to comfort, hunger for righteousness is filled, mercy is given to the merciful, persecution for righteousness becomes a badge of honor. Since there are 8, the building is octagonal in shape. Built on 8 pillars to illustrate that these 8 beatitudes are the foundation for the believers life. This incredible campus overlooks the Sea of Galilee and is pristine in its manicure!

Caesarea Philippi was an ancient Roman city built by  Philip the Tetrarch or Herod Philip II, son of Herod the Great. He, like his father wanted to build a city that would impress the Romans. Herod the Great built Caesarea on the coast, Philip built his version up in the beautiful Golan Heights, which today is the border of Israel and Lebanon and Syria. It is a contested piece of land even today. This particular place was a very pagan city, with temples built to the god Ban also known as Pan, a Greek god, half human half goat.  It was here that Jesus had his disciples travel and it was here that Jesus asked them the question, “who do people say I am?” He then asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:13-18 The ...