Capernaum

Even though Saturday, July 12th, was extremely hot in Israel, it was a good day for a quick trip to the Galillee and back to Jerusalem in the same day. One of the stops was at Capernaum, which was a very central point in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Below are the ruins of the synagogue. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." Matthew 4:13-16.

Driving entrance to Capernaum just outside the parking lot.

Capernaum is not an Israeli National Park but run by either the Catholic or Orthodox Church. Below is the sign by the entrance gate. Capernaum is possibly the "greek" translation of Kfar Nahum. Kfar is Hebrew for village. Nahum was a minor prophet. Village of Nahum.

Statue praising the Lord in the garden by the gate.

Below is a statue of Peter, the big, strong fisherman. Peter and Andrew were actually born in Bet Saida, which is just a mile or two east of here. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. John 1:44. At some point in time, Peter had to move to Capernaum and was also married. Then He (the Lord Jesus) went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority...Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. Luke 4:31-39.

Below many of the stones have intricate detail like a cluster of grapes and pomegranites.

Here are two with the Star of David.

This one shows the Temple on wheels?

The ruins of Capernaum are well kept. Capernaum was one the three cities that the Lord Jesus cursed. Bet Saida and Chorazin are the other two. Capernaum gets cursed worse than Sodom. That is really quite amazing. And you, Capernaum, who£ are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you." Matthew 11:23-24.

A red "mimosa" tree down by the water. That is probably not what they are called in Israel.

Capernaum sits right by the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. John 6:16-17.

Looking southwest from Capernaum with the Golan Heights in the background.

Park-like setting by the water, which is also known as the Sea of Tiberias. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. John 6:1.

Ruins of Capernaum with the synagogue in the background.

Ruins of Capernaum with the Sea of Galilee in the background. The red-domed church, I believe is a Greek Orthodox Church close by. It's not associated with Capernaum.

Walking to the synagogue.

A shaded flower in full bloom.

Mosiac floor.

The front of the synagogue ruins. These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. John 6:59.

Outer court of the synagogue.

Sturdy, tall columns give you an idea of the height of the synagogue.

Olive press outside the synagogue in Capernaum.

It's like chunks of stone and columns can be found anytime if you have permission to dig.

On the way out.

We also stopped at Tiberias for a little while. This monument/sculpture gives you a picture of the shape of the Sea of Galille. Where the sculpture is cut at the top is where the Jordan River flows into the Galilee. Then the Jordan also flows out at the bottom all the way to the Dead Sea. Currently the Sea of Galilee, Israel's main water supply, is just a few centimeters aways from the black line danger zone. Israel is desparate for rain. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands." Haggai 1:11.

The Lord Jesus graciously provided a rainbow on the Sea of Galilee for the blog.

Looking south down the shore at Tiberias. Israelis were enjoying the water and trying to cool off. You can see how low the water line is. Praying for rain for Israel is certainly a task for intecessors. Moses warned the Israelites before they came into the land what can happen if your do not love the Lord God and follow His commandments. ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain,... Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the LORD’S anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you. Deuteronomy 11:13-17