Abuna, Nazareth, Arbel and Magdala

Today started a little more leisurely with a later wake-up call and a short drive in Haifa to the offices of Archbishop Elias Chacour. We were thrilled to have private time with "Abuna," as he is called by his parishioners, students and friends; many of us had read his stirring book Blood Brothers. Father Chacour told us that he is a "walking contradiction"—a Palestinian Arab Christian Israeli—and about the challenges that causes in his mission to break down stereotypes. He challenged us to be peacemakers, but noted that being peacemakers sometimes means raising issues on injustice loud and persistently. All of us were spellbound as he talked and inspired as we concluded our time with him.

Lita and Laryn Zoerhof talk with Abuna, Bishop Chacour.

Then, we took the bus to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We didn't go into the town, but instead spent time on Mt. Precipice, the purported place where Jesus was threatened with being thrown over a cliff. Pastor Bill explained that this could not be the spot for many reasons, but it was a perfect location to view the city of Nazareth, houses piled on houses, from one side and the flat, green Jezreel Valley from the other. Bill spoke about the boy Jesus and the parental lessons he likely had living in this town and in this Bible-story-rich region. What lessons are we passing on to the next generation?

Pastor Bill teaching on Mt. Precipice, overlooking the Jezreel Valley.


Our resourceful local guide, Khalil.

Ruth and Henry Baron with the town of Nazareth behind them.

Next, we traveled to Mt. Arbel and a warm hike up the stony paths resulted in an incredible vantage point from which to view the northern part of the Sea of Galilee. There they were: Capernaum, Korazin, Bethsaida and the many other places where Jesus did much of his ministry. We spent quiet time with Mark 1-9 noting how many stories featured these cities and then Bill and Lyn played a recording of "The Hallelujah Chorus," bringing the meditations of our hearts to a praise-filled conclusion.

Our view of the Sea of Galilee from the top of Mt. Arbel.

The last stop of the day was a surprise. Through our local guide, Khalil, we were able to see a very recent archeological site nearby in Magdala, the home of Mary Magdelene. One of leaders of the project, Claudia, showed us the remains of a verified first century synagogue—with features that would have certainly been true in Jesus' day. In fact, we wondered, could the stones we were viewing have actually been trod by our Lord?

The first century synagogue dig in Magdala.

Magdala dig leader Claudia explains this exciting find.

Another amazing day! We checked in to our comfortable resort, Nof Ginosar, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, for the first of three nights here. Our end-of-the-day circle of reflection was full of soul-stirring stories and challenges for our future walks as followers of Jesus of Nazareth.  ~  Mike