Thursday March 7, 2019
Sea of Galilee
By late afternoon, we were ready for a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Our hotel for the next two nights was located near this historic body of water in Tiberias. So after the completion of seeing this biblical site, we could settle in for a couple of days, Thursday and Friday nights. The towns around the Sea of Galilee are where Jesus and His disciples lived, worked, and preached. Jesus preformed many miracles in and around this fresh water lake. Here the fishermen, who would become the disciples of Jesus, earned their living. It is where Jesus walked on the water as did Peter. Also it is where Jesus directed the fish into the nets of the doubting fishermen. Close by is the village of Nazareth, Jesus’s boyhood home.
The Boat Ride
When we got on the boat the captain greeted us and we soon came to learn that he was an engaging entertainer.
The trip was at the same time both solemn and joyful. We were joined by our sister tour group and we had prayer and sang hymns and even did the Israeli circle dance called the “Hora”.
From our vantage point we could see the houses and villages, not too much different than what Jesus saw.
Oddly, in terms of spiritual inspiration, for me nothing else equates with being at the Sea of Galilee. It’s a mystery how a body of water can be that awe inspiring. While I was there, these scriptures were constantly on my mind:
John 21:4-8
Later, by the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee), Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples... He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”
“No,” they answered. He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
And in Mathew 14:27-32
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
After we returned to the dock, we walked over to visit a museum that housed an actual Sea of Galilee fishing vessel from the 1st Century. It was recovered from the mud and silt very carefully since the ancient wood crumbles to dust very easily upon contact. We were speculating whether it was in fact the very boat that Jesus and His disciples sailed and did their fishing. Now it was time to check in our hotel in Tiberias and what a great hotel. The Leonardo Club hotel is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and the rooms are perfectly positioned to see the amazing sunrise.
The hotel provided an open bar beginning late afternoon and though out the evening. Bars were set up throughout the dining room with both wine and beer “taps”. Both the dinner and breakfast offerings were sumptuous and extensive. It was very easy to overeat since everything was provided visually on buffet tables. After the first night and morning at the hotel, and after breakfast, we got on our tour bus, this time without luggage since we would spend a second night there.
The following journal articles are of my research for various design and painting projects planned. The intial posts are of Israel and Eygpt.