Sea of Galilee

Raising the Flag

On the Sea of Galilee

Sandy, looking back at Tiberias

Jesus did so much of his ministry around the Sea of Galilee. We took a boat ride across that same sea yesterday. Our boat took us from Tiberias to Capernaum (Mk. 2:1 & Lk 4:31). The area around this huge lake is the kind of beauty you see on a post card. The visual experience alone is inspiring, but when you consider all the wonderful events that happened on this body of water it is truly a spiritual experience. The Israeli boat captain had a few surprises for us. Before leaving the dock he raised the American flag and played a recording of the “Star Spangled Banner”. We all stood, crossed our hearts and sang. When we got out on the sea he played Christian worship music. At one point I thought I saw a ghost hovering over the water, but it was only wishful thinking. Our guide pointed out that of all the sites in Israel considered holy by Christians this is the one and only one that we can be 100% sure Jesus really was here in this exact spot. We saw modern village of Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene. We saw the place where most scholars think Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. As our boat glided across the lake I thought about Peter stepping out on the water, Jesus quieting the storm, and the great catch of fish. All of us went back and forth from being giddy with excitement to speechless with awe. Yes, Jesus was really here, and yes we really believe He is the Christ the Son of God.