Sites Along the Galilee

It is so unusual to feel so comfortable with people we’ve just barely met.  The Madsen’s made us feel right at home.  They moved all their belongings downstairs so as to finish their packing and moved us right into the apartment in the Branch House, however, that left them to sleep on a mattress on the floor.  They said that it was what the couple that trained them did, so they were following suit.  Pres. Madsen showed us how to switch the solar water heater on so we all could take a shower, how to get heat in each room using an electric heater in each room.  But I still haven’t learned how to use the Branch phone.  Next morning Sister Madsen cooked us German Pancakes in between answering her email and we were off to see the sites around the Galilee. 

We passed by Migdal, which is the birthplace of Mary Magdalene.  Right close to this is Kibbutz Ginnosar.  As you may already know, a kibbutz is a collective where Israeli’s have gathered to live as a community.  Originally, it was based on agriculture.  Nowadays, they have been privatized.  This Kibbutz runs a museum around the theme of “Man in Galilee.”  The centerpiece of this exhibit is the remains of a fishing boat dating back to Christ’s ministry.  It was discovered by local fishermen in 1986 when the lake level dropped.  I loved the way the process of preserving the boat was captured in film and still shots.  It was quite a process which took nine years. 

Tabgha is the site of seven springs.  There are two churches from C20 and two from C5 Byzantine churches commemorating two New Testament events.  Check out Luke 9:1-17, John 6:1-14—by multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fishes, Jesus fed the 5,000.  Then John 21 and 1 Peter 5.  “Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias, shared with them a meal of fish and bread, then commissioned Peter to “Feed my sheep.”  There is a marvelous mosaic in the basilica commemorating the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  It is hard to take in that what we are seeing is from many time periods and events. 

First touch of Sea of Galilee-Entering Capernaum ruins-Ruins in foreground, New church in background over ruins from Peter's house

The last stop was at Capernaum where Peter’s house provided the base from which Jesus preached.  These events are then memoralized by different groups of people throughout the ages by building their own churches on top of the prior one, then along come others tear down what is there and build their own church.  Next come the archaeologists who try to sort it all out.  Then there are accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which add details that you have to put together to get the total picture.

Here are the things that happened at Capernaum:

*”Leaving Nazareth, He (Jesus) came and dwelt in Capernaum.”  This was after he announced himself as the Son of God at the synagogue at Nazareth and the priests drove Him away.

*In Capernaum, Jesus was based at “Simon’s house or the house of Simon and Andrew.”

*Peter’s house was often called simply “the house.”

*Jesus preached to crowds from the door of the house.

*In Capernaum’s synagogue, Jesus cast out an unclean spirit.

*In Peter’s house, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law.

*At Cana, Jesus healed a nobleman’s son in Capernaum.

*Jesus healed a Roman centurion’s servant in Capernaum.

*Jesus healed many others at Capernaum.

*The centurion had built a synagogue in Capernaum.

*In Capernaum, Jesus raised Jarius’ daughter from death and healed a woman having had 12 years issue of blood.

*Jesus often taught and performed healings in Capernaum’s synagogue.

*Jesus taught His discourse on the bread of life in the synagogue at Capernaum.

*Jesus condemned Capernaum for failing to acknowledge the “mighty works” done there.

It has never been clear to me before now that all these things took place at Capernaum.  I was thinking more about it being in Jerusalem or thereabouts.  Many things are just soaking in.  Of course, I am writing this almost a month after it has taken place, but so much is happening it is hard to process it all in less than a month!  Nevertheless, there is a spirit of reverence that pervades these places and it is a relief to be here when this is so.  We understand as the spring approaches and more people come to see these places it is hard to find a space to contemplate.  We have had sweet moments never to be forgotten.