Dan, Pan and a dip in the Jordan

Some of the group rose early to take in the amazing sunrise over the Sea of Galilee. Sparrows flew around us and the strains of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" rose from grateful voices.

We spent today in the north portion of Galilee, driving in the morning to the site of Dan, near the Syrian and Lebanese borders. There, we walked in silence through a gorgeous landscape of flora, fauna and singing birds in the Dan Nature Preserve—but just around the corner our eyes grew wide as we saw the remnants of the gates of the city of Dan constructed during Canaanite times. What an architectural feat! As walked on the stone paths through the site, we noted the high place of sacrifice and other hints that this was a city beholden to other gods. This culminated in Jeroboam's temple where a golden calf and altar were found. Pastor Bill showed us in scripture how the tribe of Dan refused God's inheritance and chose this northern land instead, and added other deities to their worship. May we realize that we have a "goodly inheritance" and trust God alone!

At the gates of ancient Dan.

Pastor Bill taught about the tribe of Dan and appreciating
"goodly inheritances" near the uncovered altar site.

From Dan to Pan—one of the deities worshipped at Caesarea Philippi. Both Dan and this site are gorgeous places with beautiful vistas and peaceful brooks, but both had been given over to the worship of Baal, Zeus, Pan and other objects of veneration. It is at Philippi that Jesus asked his disciples the question, "And who do you say that I am?" Peter's confession, "You are the Christ," is the bedrock statement on which our faith is built. It was the perfect place to have this dialogue, surrounded by the remnants of so many other-than-Christ symbols. We pledged to be bolder in our lives and testimonies.

Climbing up the ruins at Caesarea Philippi.

 

Carol Smith reads us the "Who do you say that I am?" passage.

All of this time, we were aware of how close we were to the Syrian and Lebanese borders. Khalil filled us in with the many wars that had been fought over this territory as the hills of the Golan Heights towered around us. He pointed out the areas that were still full of land mines, some planted by the Israelis and some by the Syrians. Bill told the heartbreaking story of how the Lebanese conflict has affected families. This troubled land still searches for peace.

 

Next, we drove back south to Korazim where a very detailed archeological site shows clearly the layout of homes and a synagogue of early times. Pastor Bill showed us how the parable of the persistent neighbor would immediately resonate with the people of Jesus' day because of the architecture of the homes. The synagogue has such clear detail; we learned much about what the traditions in that structure were like.

In a home at the Korazim site.

 
Nearby, Bethsaida is said to be the home of Philip, Andrew and Peter—and perhaps James and John, too. Such a high percentage of the apostles—must have been a town with a lot of character! We also talked about the healing of the blind man and the two miraculous feedings of thousands; we were reminded anew that Jesus is the bread of life for all!

Teaching at Bethsaida.

Our very talented bus driver, Na-El.

Finally, we spent time at the Jordan River near Bethsaida, where one will not find "the mighty Jordan," but instead a small, rushing stream, easily crossable by wading/stepping through. Regardless of the river's size at our visit, the importance of the water was powerful. Pastor Bill talked about the baptisms in that river and reminded us that Jesus entered the water willingly to take on the chaos of the world and bring peace and real freedom to all. Many of us walked into the cool, refreshing stream and spent time in prayer, holding hands as we spoke to our Lord and concluding with a deeply-felt rendition of "When Peace Like a River." A heart-filling experience!  ~ Mike Van Denend

Pastor Bill invites us into the Jordan River.

Prayer together in the Jordan.