Region of the Galilee, early Christianity. "Migdol" = watchtower, ancient city of Magdala was the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. Visit museum nearby that features a 2000 year-old boat found recently buried in the mud at the Sea of Galilee. Take an excursion out on the sea. Beautiful sunny day on a boat viewing cities along shore of the lake. Had a Bible study on the lake (Mt 14) when Jesus walks on the water. Worship, Jewish dancing, even our guide David sang us a song – “I saw the light”. From here we head up the hill to the Mount of Beatitudes – the 8 great “Blessed are…” statements of Jesus (Mt 5). The word for “blessed” (makarios) means “what you already have", not "please do this" but "already in possession of”. During study, a beautiful choir of a German group were singing in background. “Pray” in Greek means “meek”. Who may ascend to the hill of the Lord? – Ps 24:3. My thought was may the “be-attitudes”, “be our attitudes.”
Had lunch at fish place right on the sea, had whole fish, head included! Next over to Gadera, Bible study at former monastery. See possible home of demoniac, caves on side of the mountain. Also note cliff where pigs may have jumped to their death. Gadera was conquered in 638 AD by Byzantine empire. Gad, along with Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh, stopped short and never entered the promised land (Num 32).
Visit Capernaum next, very close on northeast part of lake. Ruins of former synagogue here where Jesus once taught is open to the public. Very sobering to walk on the very stones Jesus once taught on (Isa 61). The site where Peter’s mother-in-law was healed was adjacent to the synagogue, has a very modern 1970’s spaceship kind of structure over it now.
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