Pursuing Jesus in Israel - Sea of Galilee and Beyond

We arose early again to cross the Sea of a Galilee.While crossing our biblical guide, Jim Martin, taught us about how the parable of the mustard seed found in Mark 4 is connected to the calming of the sea and the healing of the man with demons, ending with the demons entering pigs found in Mark 5.  He noted that Satan sought to destroy Jesus and the disciples in the storm, and when that failed, he tried to make Jesus' ministry ineffective in that region by having the demons enter the pigs and drown them, robbing the owners of their value.  It seemed to work, as the people asked Jesus to leave initially, but the man delivered from demons was the mustard seed, and he stayed and spread the good news of what Jesus did for him, overcoming their initial resistance, and when Jesus came back later the people in the region welcomed Jesus and desired to hear His message.

We moved on to Tel Dan near the Lebanon and Syrian borders . This was an area where Abraham rescued Lot (not Sodom & Gomorrah), and later one of the tribes, Dan, conquered a people group, and claimed the city, which came to be called Dan. Jim explained the function of a rabbi was as both teacher and judge, and that Jesus, as a rabbi, was always practically teaching what God's intentions were for His people in the kingdom of  God.

Next is Panias in the area of Caesarea Philippi, which has great "rock" formations.  This is where Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is," and then Jesus specifically asks the disciples, "Who do you say I am," and Peter ends up answering, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  This encounter in this place was important, because Panias was a place seen as an entry place to Hades in the afterlife, and Jesus responds to Peter that what he said was revealed to him by his Father in heaven, and on this "rock" Jesus would build His church, and the gates of Hades would not overcome it, illustrating this great truth using the environment he was in.

We then went to an overlook and viewed Mt. Herman (possible place for transfiguration) and the valley below, followed by a visit to "Ancient Katzrin Village." We viewed an olive press. We talked about the kind of houses the Galileans lived in, and then we went to Luke 5:17-26, where the paralyzed man was healed.  This healing was done in the presence of Pharisees.  This healing challenged the idea that you had to go to the temple to be made right with God, directly challenging the authority of the Pharisees.  This healing required the paralyzed man's friends to aggressively dig thru the roof.  Jesus not only heals the man physically, but He announces his sins are forgiven too, revealing to the Pharisees that He had the "authority on earth to forgive sins."

The day ended with the sunset and then a beach fire and singing on the Sea of Galilee.  What an amazing day! 

Sea of Galilee in the morning (7 am)

Walking to the boat.

Jim Martin teaching on the Sea of Galilee 

Maria enjoying the hike in Tel Dan

Tel Dan Abraham's Gate

Cynthia and Maria in Tel Dan



Panias near Caesarea Philippi 

Maria Taking Notes at Panias

Olive Press in Katzrin Village 

First Century House in Katzrin Village 

Studying the Bible in 1st Century House 

Sunset on Sea of Galilee 












 

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