Day 3 - Monday: Around the Sea of Galilee

We followed Jesus' journey around the Sea of Galilee today. We stated at the Mount of Beatitudes where the people sat on the hillside listening to Jesus teach. Connie read Matthew 5:1-16. Then, we enjoyed some time walking through the beautiful serene gardens.

Matthew and Logan - "Peace"

Next, we rode a short distance to the Church of the Multiplication which marks Jesus feeding the multitude with one boy's lunch. The beautiful mosaic inside the church contains only four loaves and two fish. We are the fifth loaf being sent out to feed the multitude.

Sherry and Debbie at the baptismal pool

From there, we walked downhill to the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter. This church is built on around the stone where Jesus prepared breakfast for Peter and some other disciples after the resurrection. This is also where Jesus asked Peter three times, "do you love me?" We walked down to the rocky shore of the Sea of Galilee and spent time in private meditation or small group devotions focused on John 21.

Matthew and Beth at the Sea of Galilee

Cole and Logan

Cole, Chris, Lee, and Elise

Capernaum was our next stop. The hometown of Peter which became Jesus' center of ministry was a busy merchant city at the crossroads of the trade route from Egypt to Mesopotamia. The corner of the first century synagogue where Jesus healed a demon possessed man can be seen peeking out from underneath a fourth century synagogue. Nearby is Peter's house where Jesus taught and healed many.

Jacob explains the importance of Capernaum in the first century using Emma as the map!

Peter's House

Elise and Lee sitting inside the synagogue

We followed along the coast until we reached the Jordan River at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. Philippe led a beautiful service to commemorate the commitment we have made to follow Christ. Several of our team chose to be baptized in the Jordan River in remembrance of Jesus' baptism in that same river and our own desire to follow him throughout our life.

Baptisms at the Jordan River

Chandelle and Logan

We continued to drive around the coast until we arrived back in Tiberias for a lunch right out of the Sea of Galilee called Peter's Fish.

Ryan enjoys his fish!

Next on our tour was Magdala. When a religious group wanted to build a retreat center for women near Mary Magdalene's hometown, they were surprised to find the ruins of that town exactly where they were digging to build the hotel! Archeological research showed that this was, in fact, first century Magdala. The synagogue, market place, and port have all been uncovered.

Jesus visited this synagogue in Magdala

We ended the day with boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We read how Jesus calmed the storm in Mark 4:35-41. We also read how Jesus walked on water to join them, calling Peter out to walk with him (Matthew 14:22-33). They shut off the boat engines for awhile to provide a peaceful time of meditation and worship.

Logan casts his bread upon the water

After returning to the shore, we headed back to our hotel. We spent some time discussing our reflections on the day. After dinner, many walked through the city to the promenade along the Sea of Galilee and indulged in some Italian ice. Then, it was back to the hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow!