Last day in Galilee

Note the blue skies; this picture just lets
you know the beautiful weather we are having!

A morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee greeted us this morning...blue sky, calm water, warm sunshine, peaceful daylight--how different from some of the experiences of Jesus and his disciples. After a full day of teaching the people, a tired Jesus asked the disciples to take him across the Sea of Galilee. He crawled under the covered section, wrapped himself in his cloak and fell into a deep sleep. Only a short while later, it seemed, the disciples awakened him in a panic as the waves washed over the edge of their small boat. For Jesus to come out of a deep sleep and immediately shout at the winds and waves to stop shocked even his followers. Most fish are found along the shore, so that's where the fisherman usually concentrated their efforts--and usually in the early morning. To be crossing the sea at night, in the dark, on water known for its fierce storms, would have been terrifying for the disciples.

Casting a net on the Sea of Galilee

We next traveled on to Gamla, home territory in ancient times for the Zealots, who led several revolts against Rome and challenged its authority repeatedly. When a revolt started in nearby Caesaria, Rome had had enough and sent 60,000 troops to quell it. After a seven-month siege, they wiped out whole villages and all inside with utter brutality; this included villages like Gamla, high in the mountains of the Golan Heights. Our group hiked down a rocky cliff face to Gamla. It was a challenging hike, but we worked together as a community of faith, and all made it down.

The hike to Gamla

Our next stop was Kursi. Jesus had just come across the Sea of Galilee, where we know storms tried to keep Jesus from landing. He encountered the man with demons. After Jesus cast them out (into the pigs on a nearby hill), the man was cured. He asked to come with Jesus, but the Lord said no, he should tell the people here what had happened. When Jesus came back some time later, a multitude of people showed up to hear him, and the feeding of 4,000 followed. Years later, a bishop arose from this area who played a key role in the writing of the Nicene Creed. So from the healing of one man who believes, many blessings follow.

We ended our afternoon near the place where Jesus gave us the Sermon on the Mount. In a quiet place in the church yard of the Church of the Primacy of Peter, enjoying the warmth of the spring sunshine, looking out over the Sea of Galilee, Bill spoke from memory, as if he were Jesus addressing us, the words so many of us have loved, but puzzled over.  Blessed are the poor in spirit...; you are the salt of the earth...; do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...; do not worry about what you will eat or drink...; ask and it will be given to you....

Bill reciting from the Sermon on the Mount--a powerful
and personal way to hear these familiar words.

Where did we see Jesus today? In the experience of community through a rough walk; in hearing in a new way God of Scripture; realizing his power in calming the storms that threaten us; seeing eagles flying over Gamla and noting their promise of strength for the weary; hearing of Jesus who crossed the sea to serve one person and what a difference that made for years to come. ~ Lois