Well, a lot has happened the past 3 days but I will do my best to give you a full update.
Tuesday morning we woke early, packed the car, and started to drive toward the coast (west). Our first stop was Casaerea- this was another place where Herod built one of his palaces. The ruins have been kept up very well and it was quite the incredible sight! Imagine a huge amphitheatre, a large palace on the Mediterranean waterline (complete with a fresh water pool and prison cells), and a giant track where some of the first Roman Olympics were held! This is also where Paul was imprisoned. Some of these sites are just incredible- you can still see the mosaic floors!
We kept driving north towards Galilee until we got to Capernaum. Remember, this is not where Jesus was born but it is where he spent a whole lot of time. (See Matthew 4 & 8) Jesus taught in the synagogue here, which we actually stood in. Most of the sites were remains, but have been excavated. This one had pillars that were put back up and the house of Peter's mother-in-law, which they put a Catholic church on top of.
From Capernaum we went to our hotel, which was right on the Sea of Galilee. We decided to go for an evening dip, but got too cold when the water reached our wastes! We decided to shower and get ready for dinner. Dinner consisted of schwarma, which is like a lamb meat inside of a pita. I'll be honest- I had to choke it down. Bleh. No schwarma for me.
Wednesday we first went to Caesarea Phillipi (not to be confused with Caesarea). It was GORGEOUS, and I thought it would be my favorite site yet (little did I know what was coming!). This is where Jesus took his disciples to ask them, "Who do people say that I am" and "Who do YOU say that I am?" (Matthew 16 & Mark 8) He took quite a journey here to ask them that one question, which shows that he was really trying to make a point. Anyway, it was really pretty with springs and a lot of greenery. Again, there were a lot of ruins where a synagogue used to be.
After this we went to Dan, which was my favorite site yet! (It is referred to in the OT) This place was a beautiful place to reside, because of all the of natural springs that flow into the River Jordan! It was amazing- 2,000 GALLONS of water per SECOND flow from the earth! We took a nice little hike to the top, where we saw a pagan temple that is in incredible shape. We learned a lot about the sacrifices that happened here- which I'll explain later. It was just beautiful- the water gushed out from under great big rocks and it was nice and shaded.
Lastly, we went to a small site that shows what the village ruins would have REALLY looked like. We walked through a typical NT village and home. I'll explain later, but there were a lot of different things about the homes that gave me a new understanding of things like salt & light, and what it meant for the paralytic's friends to actually DIG through a ceiling to drop their friend into the home Jesus was staying in so he could be healed.
We ended Wednesday at a restaurant on sea shore. Yum!
Today Danny, Keith and I woke early and I drove along the shore of the sea and up the hill to drop them off for a 3-hour hike. Danny loved it!
First, we went to the Mount of Beattitudes. This is where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount (which we read). Then, we walked down to a very specific part of the seashore. In this spot there is a warm, natural spring that flows into the sea. This was (and still is) a popular fishing spot, because the fish are attracted to the warmth. This was the likely spot where Jesus' disciples went fishing after Jesus' resurrection. We actually stood on the shore where they enjoyed a meal after they pulled in the large net of fish!
Then, we went to a Roman site that has been excavated for the past few hundred years. We walked through the city and learned about what Roman cities used to be like. We walked through the bathhouses, amphitheaters, and even the restroom! It was pretty neat how the figured out water and plumbing- we'll tell you all about it!
Then, we drove 2 hours back to Jerusalem. After a nice shower we are ready to eat, have a birthday party for "Baby Girl Hot Dog" (Maryann's pet hamster, who is 3 years old today ;) ), play card games, and SLEEP!
Tomorrow is a rest day. We'll be off to the main grocery market and walk around the Old City again. Things still on our list are Bethlehem, Mount of Olives, and more!
Love & miss you all. We can't wait to show you all of these pictures.
xo,
us
Sites Visited:
Caesarea
Text: Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 12, ACts 21, 23-26, Acts 25
Capernaum
Text: Luke 4:38-44, Mark 2, Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:21-28, Mark 9:33-50, Luke 7:1-10, John 6:1-59 (among many others)
Caesarea Philippi
Text: Matthew 16:13-17:13, Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 42:1
Tel Dan
Text: 1 Kings 12:25-33, Genesis 19:1, 2 Kings 7:1, Isaiah 29:21, Jeremiah 38:7
Qatzrin
Text: Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26
Mount of Beatitudes
Text: Matthew 5-7, Mark 1:35-39, Mark 6:30-56
Beth Shean (Decapolis)
0 left some love:
Post a Comment