Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him!
Happy 4th of July!!
This absolutely wraps up the experience that we had today. Today was all about tasting and seeing and experiencing the Sea of Galilee area, and just getting to spend some time today reflecting on God's goodness and promises, and also connecting with one another on this journey.
We were able to talk about and work through so many different stories from the gospels today, with the highlight being getting to share communion with one another as disciple and disciple-maker. Personally, I think the world of Mason and have been blessed so greatly in our time preparing for this trip, and even now, listening to his wisdom grow and his faith deepen. I have also seen those exact same things in Bryce, who has grown to be a good friend throughout the past year through our Sunday night praise and worship, as we share a kindred spirit for that. These young men are both going to be amazing leaders for the church wherever life takes them.
The day was not backed with stops and places - but more with spirit and truth :)
Here was our rundown:
1. Nof Ginnasar. Our morning started with a visit to the museum to see where this 1st century fishing boat was uncovered about 30 years ago. It was so cool to see and is absolutely the type of boat that Jesus and his disciples would have moved around in during his ministry. Daniel had a wonderful surprise for us today as well - we were able to get onto two replica boats and spend some time out on the sea, worshiping, fellowshiping, and relaxing.
2. Lunch. Our lunch stop today took us to the food that Jesus and his disciples would have eaten often (minus the french fries you will see below!). We had tulapia - which to eat it full laying on our plates was a stretch for many of us, but again, even this was a cool reminder of how our savior would have walked and lived here on earth (more on this later!).
3. Qatzrin. This town just north of the Sea of Galilee has some very well preserved ruins. And within those ruins was the setting for some really powerful and color-providing stories of scripture. It started with acknowledging what the 'wedding custom' was like during Jesus culture, and the cool thing is there are so many parallels with that and with how Jesus ministry played out - honoring the covenant that God made with Abraham to make us his people. We shared communion in our pairs, and had a short time of worship.
The other cool part with getting to spend some time in a 1st century home that would have been built and lived in exactly that way in Jesus time. Here is a great question for you: do you think Jesus had his own home? From age 12 to 30, Jesus would have been working in the trade her learned from his father as a wood and stone carpenter - so in those 18 years, it is probably very likely that he did have his own home, and worked a daily job, and made a living - again, just like you and I!
In this home was an amazing setting for 3 different scriptures. The first was when the friends lowered the paralyzed man into a home through the roof. It would have taken a lot of work and been a tight squeeze, and if you read carefully, the scriptures may imply that this happened in Jesus home! Good thing he was a carpenter to fix it :) The home also gave a great setting to the parable of the lost coin. When you see the stone floor and how dirty, deep and uneven the edges get, you can understand exactly why the widow had to sweep her entire home to find it! (see the picture!)
There was also the recess on the wall for the candles to be lit and set to provide light. Again, reinforcing exactly what Jesus was talking about with not covering a candle with a bowl, but placing it for all to see. The final part of the home that helped to connect pieces, is that they used to have a room called a 'stable', where they would literally take the animals inside during their 'winter' to help keep the home warm. Sometimes these were caves that a home was built in front of. I think you know where I am going, but it is possible that this is the set-up that Mary and Joseph found themselves in at the time of Jesus birth. It was also a reminder that these two were very likely being shunned by their relatives for being pregnant before the marriage was official.
So many cool connections both in the home, and in how really what Jesus has offered us is a wedding vow and faithfulness to never betray us.
Enjoy the pictures!
NOF GINNASAR:
The exact first century boat that was uncovered nearly 30 years ago. So amazingly well preserved.
View from the front.
And then, the replicas that we got to go out onto the lake with for a few hours.
13 to a boat - just like Jesus and his 12 disciples!
"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk about the waters, wherever you would call me"
Lunch: Tulapia. Thank goodness for french fries :)
Just to prove (well I guess you will have to take my word for it) that I ate it!
QATZRIN:
The 'inside kitchen' - though much of their stuff would have been done outside to beat the heat.
The living room and ladder up to the bedroom.
The roof. Beans, sticks across, Mud. More sticks. More mud. More sticks. More mud. And THAT is what they friends would have dug through, and lowered their friend between two of the beams.
Just a small sample of what the stone floors would have looked like. You can see how dirty it is now. Just imagine trying to find one gold coin the size of your pinkie finger nail. And Jesus looks for you like that!
The 'stable' room in the home. Place the animals would stay when it was cold to help keep them and the home cool. Very likely the type of room/setting that Mary and Joseph would have experienced.
Not easy to see, but there is a little oil lamp on the ledge. "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."
Ruins of this ancient city.
OIL PRESSES:
This ancient city was well known for their work in making olive oil, and they had some of the presses they would have used throughout their history on display. This one is very cool and ties to Jesus last days on earth.
Fun facts: Got = olive Shemen = press. Where we get the word Gethsemane. There were wine presses on this hill, much like the one above, during Jesus time. And make of the language used to describe the agony Jesus was experiencing likens it to him being crushed, like olives would be on this press, under the weight of our sin. Pretty powerful word picture.
Olive press.
Olive press.
** We were supposed to go to the Jordan River to end our day, but when we arrived, there were several tour groups in the area we were hoping to use. We found a small inlet, but were saddened to see that it was riddled with garbage. So - we are starting our day tomorrow with the Jordan River in a different location! Here are a few quick pics of where we stopped...
Probably 1/4 mile from where it empties into the Sea of Galilee.
The trees in this area - pretty cool!
END THE DAY:
We got to spend about 45 minutes in the Sea, cooling off and refreshing ourselves from a day of sweating once again. This place is so beautiful.
TOMORROW:
Tomorrow is going to be a really excited and packed day! As I mentioned, we are starting the day with a dip into the Jordan River. Then we are heading to an overlook of the city of Nazareth and the surrounding valleys. Then over to Mount Carmel, home to Elijah calling down fire, and a beautiful view of the Mediteranean Sea. Then to Caesarea Maritime for some really cool ancient history and a dip into the Mediterranean Sea. Then, on to Jerusalem - where we will get ready for our final 24 hours of Jesus our last day hear - emotional to say the least!
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