Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Day 2 Israel- Sea of Galilee

We are staying until Friday at the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz. It is a very nice facility in a great location near Tiberius. So it was a good spot to start our very full day. Our first stop was the Ancient Jesus Boat Museum. Actually they have no idea whether it was Jesus' boat--but a first century boat was found in the sea and it is very like a boat that fishermen would have used. After viewing the boat, we took a boat ride on the Sea. When we arrived near the shore where you could see the Mount of the Beatitudes, we stopped and someone read from Mark and then we had a moment of silence. IT was powerful! I was so moved I cried. Then we sang "Amazing Grace" with the British Christians on the boat with us (Turned out they were all converted Jews). As we rod back, they played "Lord, I lift your name on high," "Awesome God" and a few others. And just as we neared the shore they began playing "Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water . . ." It was wonderful!

After the boat ride, we loaded up on the bus again and headed to the Mount of Beatitudes and after that we visited the church of the Primacy of Peter -- and I lit a candle for Trinity and the for The United Methodist Church next to the Rock where Jesus said to Peter--"On this rock, I will build my church." This was the second most powerful moment of the day for me!

Then we visited the Church of the Multiplication where JEuss feed the crowd with five loaves and two fishes. We saw beautiful old mosaics and a rock where it is believed that Jesus blessed the bread and fish.

After that we visited Capernum, where we saw why scholars believe is the foundation of Peter's house and the ruins of a synagogue that may sit over the sight where Jesus taught and was run out of town.

After Capernum, we stopped for lunch on the shores of the sea and had a wonderful meal of St. Peter's Fish (talipia like I've never had it -- Wonderful!)

Following lunch, we drove to the Jordan River, to the spot where Jesus may have been baptized by John. We saw folks being baptized. We stepped into the river and collected water to take home. I put some on my forehead and remembered my baptism.

Our final stop for the day was at the tomb of Moses Maimonides, a great Jewish Rabbi from the 12th century who had a great impact on both the Jewish and non-Jewish world. In fact, it was once said, "From Moses [of the Torah] to Moses [Maimonides] there was none like Moses."

Now we are back at the Kibbutz and ready to head to bed. We have another long day ahead of us!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you are safe and I can almost see the stars, smell the camel, and feel the ache in my legs through your words. Thank you for sharing with us. It is delightful to experience this trip with you as you travel through the land of the Bible, Torah and so many other inspirations for all the world! We're thinking of you all and I can't wait to see the pictures and hear more. Travel in joy!