Thursday - Jesus in Galilee

on February 24, 2011 by Walt Dilg

Thursday  – Jesus in Galilee

                Jesus gathered disciples who were fisherman and is recorded numerous times using boats to cross the Sea of Galilee.  This morning we got a chance to see a boat recently unearthed from the seashore that dates to Jesus’ time.   It’s the type of boat Jesus would have traveled in – the type of boat his disciples would have used to ply their trade.  Our travels here were coming alive even more.  The boat we sailed on this afternoon was not such a boat, yet we enjoyed it thoroughly as it carried us onto the Sea from its eastern shore and up towards Capernaum.  We enjoyed some quiet moments of contemplation and prayer, as the boat gently rocked.  The sky was somewhat hazy today, so the view over the water toward the other side was obscured, intriguing, and a bit mysterious.

                Between these two boat experiences, we had a delightful day at three magnificent spots.  The first was the Church of the Beatitudes, beautifully located at the crest of the hill overlooking the rolling hillsides that spill down to the Sea.  It honors the area in which Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount.  We then were touched at the Church of the Multiplication of Fishes and Loaves.  This is where that famous Byzantine mosaic of the fish and loaves was discovered, a location that has for nearly 18 centuries honored that miracle.  Close by is the Mensa Christi, a church along the sea shore that commemorates Jesus’ resurrection appearance to Peter and the disciples, who after his death returned to the Sea and resumed fishing.  Jesus calls to them from the shore and invites them in for breakfast.  He then redeems Peter from his betrayal on Good Friday.  Grace abounds in this biblical story, and as we prayed in the church and walked the sea shore at that spot I felt the power of that grace for all of us.  Jesus calls to us when we are tempted to give up hope and are confused as to what to do – he calls to us, invites us to fellowship at his table, forgives us and renews us.  Our story is a  story of grace.  As we follow Christ, too often we walk in the steps of Peter.  Lord have mercy. 

                Our afternoon travels ended with a stop-over at Yardenit, where many folk seek a baptismal experience this being a commonly identified place of baptisms in the Jordan River.  With help from Meredith, I got a bottle of Jordan River water to use in baptisms back home.  Tonight we have been invited to take in a mineral bath near the hotel.  Just as good as the Dead Sea, we are told, relaxing with great restorative properties.  Relaxing might be nice, but no need for restoration – God has been at work doing that all day.