Sea of Galilee

Today was HOT HOT HOT!!! 37C and felt like in the 40's with the humidex.

We have a very nice tour group, so far we like everyone, and our guide is very knowledgable. But today was a bit rushed. It started off very nicely with viewing a 2000 year old fishing boat that was recently discovered in the 90's, mostly because the Sea of Galilee has receded so much recently. Lack of water is a huge issue to the people here. Our guide sounded very concerned and made a comment about Canada having 25% of the world's fresh water resources. It's true, we never worry about water, but they do.

They took us out onto the Sea of Galilee in a recreation of the fishing boat. The sea where Jesus calmed the storm. But it was smooth sailing for us, and we even learned a Jewish dance while we were at it.

We landed in Capernaum which is where Jesus lived for a great deal of His life. They were friendly to Him there. There was a synagogue that is 1700 years old, built on top of the synagogue where Jesus taught. There were also a lot of excavations of homes, including one which is believed (by tradition) to be the home of Simon Peter.

The Emporer Constantine had a mother Helena who encouraged him in Christianity, thus in 313 Constantine enforced the Edict of Milan which put an end to the persecution of Christians. Helena wanted to know exactly where the holy sites were, so churches were built on the places where tradition said those things happened. Mind you, it was 300 year old tradition, but many indications are that they were good guesses. It doesn't matter where it happened. It just matters that it happened.

Then on to Tabgha, the site where Jesus fed the 5000 people, and nearby, the site where he appeared to His disciples after the resurrection. Here he asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" The highlight for us was dipping our toes into the Sea of Galilee itself.

The final stop of the day was the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount. Our leader Mike took us to a natural amphitheatre shape in the mountain where it would have made sense for people to sit while He preached to them. We had a communion time and worship time there.

We got back to Tiberias with a few hours before dinner, so we and Sebastian, a tour member from Korea, walked downtown in search of some shopping and a bank. Frankie was so happy to find a shop that sells Naot shoes, the shoes she always buys back home and are made in Israel. Here she bought them for half the cost! Cross that task off the list :)