Sunday, January 12, 2020

A day in Galilee

The Sea of Galilee is where we started our day. It is actually a Lake. Normally it is 110 feet deep, but is currently 113 feet deep due to all of the two lately. The Sea of Galilee gets its water from the Jordan River, where later we will be baptized if we choose. We walked from the hotel to the pier and all 320 Educational Opportunity people (7 buses of peeps) got on four boats. We went into the middle of the water. Peaceful and as calm of water I have ever seen. It looked like glass and as the boat moved on it it even moved the water in the most serene way. Beautiful and simple beauty.  The water was only still. Still. Just like we are supposed to be as we allow Jesus in. He was there. I could feel it. He was all around. This Beauty. Unmatched. The Holy Spirit filling us, within us, beside us. Peaceful, serene. I am not sure if I have ever had a more calming moment in my life. I know that there were rough waters there,  but today it was stunningly beautiful. 

The Sea of Galilee is mentioned in 1/5 of the gospels, giving this spot so much importance. Picture the boats here. Picture Jesus healing. Calm waters. Our four boats were tied together in the middle and we had a church service, much like Jesus would have done so many years ago. Maybe we were in the very spot that Jesus preached, where he stood on the boat. I will never look at the scriptures the same again. They are alive to me now. 

We were asked to ponder a few things in our morning. How can we keep our own personal boat smoothly sailing on the water of life?  How can we be still and find peace in the ocean of life? 

The boat took us to the Man in the Galilee Museum to see an  ancient boat. I couldn’t help but wonder if THIS was THE boat Jesus has been. I am sure he was in numerous boats and I feel like this one was recovered for a special reason. Incredible to think of the water it traveled. Jesus would spend two weeks going back and forth during his ministries from Capernium to Jerusalem.  He did this very often ministering, talking to others, healing. The boat we saw was uncovered in 1986 during a drought on the Sea of Galilee. 

Valley of Doves was up next. This area was on the main 
that Jesus travelled. We were asked to think about what we would say to Jesus if we would come across him on this path. This was a beautiful, peaceful area with goats grazing and a lot of caves. 

Matthew 5 gives us the Sermon on the Mount. We visited the Mount of Beatitudes. The grounds were beautiful and well kept. The view was another beauty along the way. I was again so at peace there. My breathing was calm. At home I have had a lot of things going on. Moving and renovating a home have not been on my mind here. No talk of kitchen plans, contractors, floor plans. It doesn’t matter here. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I needed to be far from all of that. No stress here. Just peace. 

Our next stop was a visit to Tabgha (northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee at the base of the Mount of Beatitudes) to see the Primacy of Peter Church. We walked down by the water for a little devotion and singing. If you brought a spouse you could renew your wedding vows as a group. If you had lost a spouse you were prayed for. The chapel area had the most beautiful stain windows. 

Next, onto Capernaum. Jesus lived here for 3 years during his ministry. Matthew 4, 23. While we were in Capernaum, we saw family homes from Peter and his mother-in-law. Jesus stayed there. Some items recovered said Petra or Peter. 

I decided not to eat the tilapia that was caught in the Sea of Galilee for lunch and there was another option. Lol. 

After lunch we headed for the Jordan River Baptismal Site. We were able to renew our baptism by either submersion or sprinkling. We are fresh, new. 

While on the boat today we were told to think about and ponder four different kids of soil we would encounter today and tomorrow. Solid, rocky, thorny or rich soil. Which is your soul?  What do we need to provide a rich harvest? I will continue to ponder this throughout tomorrow. 

Another wonderful day here rich in History. 

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