Upon This Rock
We began the day at Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" and Peter answered, "You are the Christ." This event marks the first time that a human recognizes Jesus as the Christ. This place, which was once a city, is now a national park with beautiful waters running through it. Here Jesus told His disciples, "Upon this rock I will build my church." which is all the more interesting when you realize that this site was the centre for the cultic worship of the pagan god Pan. Mythology has this playful god stealing the clothing of the ladies as they would bath in the waters.Above This Rock We Will Build a Church
We then traveled to Capernaum which was basically the headquarters of Jesus ministry. (This may have something to do with the fact that His own people of Nazareth tried to throw Him off a cliff.) Here is where Peter lived and where Jesus healed Peter's mother when she was sick. They believe they have found the house where this happened and have built a church that hovers over top of the archeological ruins. Here the group is looking under the church at the ruins.
A Blessed Place
We then traveled to the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jeses preached the famous "Sermon on the Mount" You can see the church in the background as Pastor Gary Heinz reads the Beatitudes from the beginning of Jesus sermon (Matt. 5-7)
Here's Looking at You
When you dine right next to the Sea of Galilee you can't help but order the local specialty; St. Peter Fish. They serve the whole fish, head and all, and as you eat him he looks up at you and seems to smile.
No Storm to Calm
In chapters 8 and 14 St. Luke records Jesus and the disciples being on the Sea of Galilee. One time Jesus calms the raging sea, and the other time He walks on water. We had a beautiful and calm day as we made our way out onto the famous sea on a boat christened The Magdala.
Once we reached the centre of the sea the captain cut the engines and we gathered for a service as we drifted peacefully. We read the accounts that took place on these waters and then sang a few hymns including that great naval hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save."
Tomorrow we travel to Sepphoris, Cana, and Mt. Tabor.
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