Day Three

Capernaum - Called Jesus's home town by Matthew in 9:, this town was practically just that. Jesus taught and spent much time in this place. The white synagogue was built upon the black foundation of the original synagogue that Jesus taught in, that is to say, the remnants of the synagogue that we see today is not the same synagogue that Jesus taught in. Rather the foundation we see, the black stone, is the foundation of the synagogue of Jesus time. It was neat to know that I was standing in the same place as Christ once stood and taught. Situated close to the Sea of Galilee's coast line, it was a fishing and farming community. Only the town center has been excavated to this point.

Sea of Galilee - A wonderful time spent floating on the water. We motored out into the sea and shut the engine off, everyone was perfectly quiet and it was the most peaceful place I think I have ever been. The mountains all around, the water perfectly calm, just an amazing place. From one central point, one could see many places where Jesus had been, teaching, healing and spending time. The Bible stories start to come to life all around you.

Tabgha - This is the traditional spot where it is believed that Jesus multiplied the two fish and five loaves of bread feeding the multitudes. It was a quiet and peaceful place as a church has been built over the site, as in almost all the cases where it was believed that Jesus did a miracle. One thing about the picture below, you will see two fish, and four loaves of bread in the basket, the fifth loaf of bread is Christ himself, (artistic idea behind the mosaic.)

Chorazin (Korazin) - a synagogue also of the Jesus time period, this city is mentioned in Luke 10:13-15

Kursi (Gergesa) - Better known as the place where Jesus sent the legion of demons into the herd of swine that then rushed down the hillside into the water and drown. The synagogue that now stands was built as a memorial and dates back to the 5th century C.E. There are ruins up the hill side of an old church that is believed to have been built as a result of the man that was healed of the demons. If you recall, after he was healed, he ran to the one of the cities of the Decapolis and spread the word of what was done for him by Christ.

Jordan River - A last minute change in plans place Jason Holliday and I in the place of officiating the baptisms of 15+ people in the Jordan. It was a wonderful and humbling experience, and baptizing my wife in the Jordan was a special blessing for me.