Day 7, June 7, Matthew 18:10-14

Itinerary:

·       Migdol/Magdala (Lk. 4:44)

·       Ginosar (Biblical Kinnereth, Josh. 19:35)

o   Jesus Boat

o   Cruise (9:45AM)

·       Tagba (Jn. 6:1-14,15-21)

·       Capernaum (Lk. 4:31-39; Jn. 6:16-59)

·       Mount of Beatitudes (Mt. 5:1ff)

·       Chorazin (Lk. 10:13-15

·       Bethsaida (Lk. 9:10-17)

·       Kursi (Lk. 8:26-30)

(Again, italicized items on the list are ones we did not make it to for one reason or another.)


Today was an exciting day because we kept ourselves around the Sea of Galilee.  The Galilee area is a wonderful place to be, both because of it’s beauty and productivity and also, especially, because it was important to the ministry of our Lord.  Capernaum was “headquarters” and the Gospels tell us He taught in ALL the synagogues around Galilee.


For starters, then, we saw synagogues that went to the time of Christ in Migdol (Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene), Capernaum and Chorazin.  We saw at Kursi the hill down which the pigs ran headlong into the Galilee: THAT IS A GUESS BASED ON EARLY CHURCH TRADITION.  We saw the house of Peter where his mother-in-law was healed, right across from the synagogue in Capernaum: THAT IS A GUESS BASED ON I DON’T KNOW WHAT!  But if a synagogue around Galilee is found that dates to the time of Christ then it is not a guess, it is CERTAIN: HE TAUGHT IN THAT SYNAGOGUE.


We sailed Galilee.  Yes.  In a replica of the typical fishing boat in Jesus’ day.  Really.  But having said that I am going to write a brief opinion here.  I am getting a bit upset at the Galilee cruise.  It has become much less about the ministry of Christ or what life might have been like for Peter and James and John.  Instead it is now a concert, essentially, and the selling of the singer’s CDs and other things.  Once you pay $15-20 each to ride in the boat you are a captive audience to whatever the captain wants to do.  I know there are other sailing companies and will have to research them before we do this again.


Devotions were not held until under a great shade tree at Capernaum.  The key verse was Mt. 18:12 which says Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  We shared some discussion together on this in that the “lost” were initially “His own” but then the whole world, and that both His own and the world did not receive or recognize Him.  But as many as received Him to them He gave authority to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:10-12).  We also noted how there were many who wanted to follow Him but who, when they came to realize what following Him meant, they turned away (John 6, esp. v60-71).  What was interesting is that exchange took place in Capernaum, at the Synagogue.

Being here in Israel is not essential to understanding the words of Jesus.  As a matter of fact, being here can lend itself to the “tourist” mentality: I am just seeing interesting things.  We encouraged each other to recognize the reality, the truth, of these events.  Being here can help us to know that the Bible is historically and geographically true, even as it is spiritually true.  We are enjoying being here!