Israel Day 2

Today we started off in Bethsaida, a city that was home to some of Jesus' disciples (Philip, Andrew and Peter - John 1:44). As we came into the ruins of the city's mansions our guide, Ariay, had us line the narrow street (Really it was more of a path than anything) to act out a Bible story (Luke 9:10). Entering through the city gate, Ariay, acting as Jesus, began walking through the midst of us. We began to cry out, Yeshua ben David. Many just called out his name while others clammored to touch him. This living visual became quite the demonstration for us of what Jesus went through everywhere He went. People desiring to be healed seeking Him out, calling out to Him as the Messiah. Certainly, I have a much better understanding of why Jesus needed time away and why He went into solitary places to pray.

Ariay also spoke of the blind man that Jesus healed in Mark 8:22-26. After healing the blind man Jesus did not send him back into the city to share the good news. Nor did He heal the blind man within the city gates. Why? Because Bethsaida was among the three cities that Jesus had cursed. Matthew 11:21-24 and Luke 10:13-15.Within the same national park is a portion of the Jordan river. One of the few parts that actually has the flow that it would have had in Jesus' time. It was beautiful. On the way down to the river we got a personal lesson on the Sycamore tree and why it would need a keeper. One of the men climbed up into the tree while Ariay explained that men needed to poke a hole into the fruit of the tree in order for it to ripen. The tree is much larger than I thought it would be and Zacchaeus would have had quite the ability to climb. Ariay also pointed a an herb tree that he believed to be the Mustard plant that Jesus spoke of and the seeds are not much more than pin dots.

On the way back out of the park I was walking and suddenly found myself on the ground. I still don't know what happened because I don't remember tripping. I landed on my right knee tearing off the skin. My knee was quite swollen the entire trip and my entire lower leg bruised. I'm very thankful to the Lord for helping me make it through the trip with all the hiking we did and with the constant walking.


After we got my knee all cleaned up and bandaged we headed to Corasin to see the ruins of a synagogue. I'm still amazed that were actually in so many of the places that Jesus had preached and healed. We saw the Moses seat (Matthew 23:2) where Jesus would have read from the Scriptures then stood to preach to the people in the synagogue. We got a little bit of Jewish history here as well. Synagogues would have been higher up than any other bulding in the city. Not only at ground level but at height so that Jewish people walking past the city would know the city was Jewish or gentile. When the Rabbi's spoke they would have to mention 2 or 3 other Rabbi's names from who mthey gleaned their teaching or information. This also keeps with the taking of 2 or 3 witnesses when conffronting sin. However, when Jesus spoke he said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you." this established His authority as God. It is interesting to note that engraved on the stone is a Medusa. Proof that the people in this city had already begun to worship other gods. On to the Mt. of Beatitudes we were able to look down on the slope where Jesus preached. Along the sea of Galilee is a road and we could hear the cars clearly from where we were. Ariay's perspective as a military officer is that Jesus would have faced into the sun and had the people facing away from the sun. People won't follow you if they can't see you. And people's interest would have quickly waned had they had to look into the sun. Because of the time of day it is likely that Jesus preached down at the people instead of up.

Pastor Frank Camp also preached devotional on being the Salt. Salt had value as much as money did in the time of Jesus. If it had lost its savor or effectiveness it also lost its worth. We were challanged to add savor to the name of Jesus Christ so that people will be drawn to Him through our lives. The Nof Ginnosaur museum has a 2000 year old boat believed to be the type that the fisherman of Jesus' time would have used. Definitely much smaller than originally thought it is easy now to understand why the disciples would have been so frightened in the storms on the sea of Galilee. As the 5 -6 foot swells would easily have come over the sides of the boat. We also took a ride on a boat on the sea of Galilee. As we headed away from shore they hoisted our American flag and played the anthem. I can't tell you how special that was for me to be with some of the dearest people on earth seeing our flag and singing with them. Later on, Dr. Comfort, decided to play Jesus as he fell asleep in the boat. Too funny!After our boat ride we headed to Tabka. The site commemorates the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. One of the things Ariay taught us was when Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and was so specific to him first to feed His lambs, then feed His sheep. John 21:15. He explained that because Peter was a fisherman it would not ahve been natural for him to know the first animals a shepherd must care for are the babies. The ones unable to fend for themselves. Once they are cared for then the sheep that are near next need to be fed. Then finally the sheep on the outer parts. Jesus was showing Peter what his new responsibilities were. Because Peter was a fisherman he was accustomed to judging between good and bad and throwing back the bad or the weak. Being a shepherd required feeding, not catching and judging, and then throwing back.

Another day full of spiritual truths and seeing things through Jesus' eyes. We are learning that Jesus is constantly pointing, to make a point. He knew who He was talking to and what point He was trying to drive home to them. Scripture definitely has some more clarity today than yesterday.