This morning after a delicious breakfast,
From the Mount of Beatitudes we traveled a short distance to a place that has been designated a the spot where Jesus called to his disciples from the shore and instructed them to cast their nets on the other side. The fisherman that we saw out there had a pole, and even if any of us would have told him to fish on the other side of the boat, he probably wouldn't have understood what we were talking about. He also had more clothes on than Peter would have had on. When Peter knew it was the Lord calling to him, he threw on his robe, jumped in the water, and swam to Jesus. The Lord tested Peter by asking him three times the piercing question: "Lovest thou me?" Peter affirmed his love and became an even greater disciple of Jesus Christ, feeding His sheep and His lambs.
But where did Peter live? Our next destination was Capernaum, where Peter and other disciples lived for a time. Even though Peter's house rests underneath what looks like some sort of a u.f.o., it was interesting to consider the living conditions for people at that time. Jesus lived for a time in Capernaum, but even after preaching in the synagogue, healing many people, and performing miracles, many of the people of Capernaum did not believe him.
After Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee boat, we had lunch at the Karei Deshe Kibbutz. From the kibbutz we traveled to Magdala where there is a newly discovered synagogue that offers clues about Judeo-Christian worship from the time of Jesus. A stone was unearthed that depicts the temple of Jerusalem, with menorah, jars of oil and water, the veil, the holy of holies and other symbols. Several mikvehs were discovered here as well. The chapel features many beautiful mosaics, and pillars that pay tribute to valiant female disciples of Christ. The guide at Magdala shared some wonderful thoughts about Christ's love for his female disciples and His respect for their dignity and worth. A group of us gathered in the main room of the chapel to sing a few hymns. The acoustics were great in the room. Among other hymns, we sang Be Thou My Vision.
Tomorrow: the Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, the Banias, Mt. Bental, the Jordan Valley, and Mt. Scopus.
we journeyed to the Jordan River (Yardenit), where, along with a hand full of others, I was baptized by immersion. The water was cold, but it was refreshing. The Spirit did not descend upon me in the form of a dove afterward, but it was a great, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I began my new life as a freshly baptized person looking for decent souvenirs in the souvenir shop, but everything was much too expensive. However, I did find a good mezuzah and a kippah for a reasonable price. From the Jordan River we journeyed on to the Mount of Beatitudes. The chapel on the mount, designed in 1938 by the Italian architect Antonio Berluzzi, provided a place for us to contemplate the new law that the Lord, like a new Moses, revealed on the new Sinai. There were beautiful flowers and plants everywhere, and the nuns were constantly warning guests to be quiet, so it was a pleasant, and a reverent, experience.
From the Mount of Beatitudes we traveled a short distance to a place that has been designated a the spot where Jesus called to his disciples from the shore and instructed them to cast their nets on the other side. The fisherman that we saw out there had a pole, and even if any of us would have told him to fish on the other side of the boat, he probably wouldn't have understood what we were talking about. He also had more clothes on than Peter would have had on. When Peter knew it was the Lord calling to him, he threw on his robe, jumped in the water, and swam to Jesus. The Lord tested Peter by asking him three times the piercing question: "Lovest thou me?" Peter affirmed his love and became an even greater disciple of Jesus Christ, feeding His sheep and His lambs.
But where did Peter live? Our next destination was Capernaum, where Peter and other disciples lived for a time. Even though Peter's house rests underneath what looks like some sort of a u.f.o., it was interesting to consider the living conditions for people at that time. Jesus lived for a time in Capernaum, but even after preaching in the synagogue, healing many people, and performing miracles, many of the people of Capernaum did not believe him.
After Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee boat, we had lunch at the Karei Deshe Kibbutz. From the kibbutz we traveled to Magdala where there is a newly discovered synagogue that offers clues about Judeo-Christian worship from the time of Jesus. A stone was unearthed that depicts the temple of Jerusalem, with menorah, jars of oil and water, the veil, the holy of holies and other symbols. Several mikvehs were discovered here as well. The chapel features many beautiful mosaics, and pillars that pay tribute to valiant female disciples of Christ. The guide at Magdala shared some wonderful thoughts about Christ's love for his female disciples and His respect for their dignity and worth. A group of us gathered in the main room of the chapel to sing a few hymns. The acoustics were great in the room. Among other hymns, we sang Be Thou My Vision.
Next we set sail on the Sea of Galilee, toward Tiberias, and back again to Ein Gev for a visit to an olive press business and a dinner of St. Peter's fish. We reached the boat just as the sun was setting, and the Sea of Galilee was as placid as after Jesus calmed the storm.
Tomorrow: the Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, the Banias, Mt. Bental, the Jordan Valley, and Mt. Scopus.
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