Israel (Day 9)

4/11/08 We left Tiberias and drove to Capernaum where we saw the ancient synagogue. There were two sets of remains, the originals from the time of Christ and then those that were built on top in about 400AD. In the same area we also saw the remains of what is thought to be Peters house. Over top the remains is a large Catholic church. After that we drove up a hill behind the city to the Mt of Beatitudes, which included a natural theater on the hillside. On the hill, we visited the Church of Beatitudes, a Roman Catholic Church built relatively recently. If I remember correctly, it was built with some financial support from Mussolini. From there, we drove north to Dan. We saw many streams from springs which feed the Jordan River flowing to the south. Driving from Dan to Caesarea Philippi we went along the Lebanon-Israel border, site of recent conflict with Hezbollah. Looking out from the bus we could easily see the Lebanese towns, Israeli patrol roads, and large fences. Beside the road were signs warning people not to go there because of land mines. We were certainly within range of gunfire or rockets as we were less than one mile from the border. We had lunch in Caesarea Philippi. There we saw the remains of multiple temples, city ruins, and a deep cave with a spring that also fed the Jordan River. We drove back south to Galilee and saw an ancient boat, estimated to be 200 years old, in Kibbutz Ginosar. From Ginosar we took a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Tiberias. During the trip there were several short messages and songs (Hebrew and English). I managed to get a seat on the bow with a great view. It was neat to think who would have been sailing around on this lake about 2000 years ago. From the boat we could see the Golan Heights on the Northeastern shore. That evening after dinner, I took a walk along the Sea of Galilee. I walked in the water, not on it.

The excavations and synagogue at Capernaum.

Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.

The springs of Caesarea Philippi. It was here at the site of much pagan worship that Peter confessed "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."