Galilee

One distinct advantage of living in Jerusalem is that you are only a few hours away from seeing all of God's Land in Israel. The God of Israel loves this land and even declares that the Land belongs to Him. The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Leviticus 25:23.

One Saturday we took a drive up north through the Jezreel Valley to the Sea of Galilee. When you approach the Sea of Galilee from the north the scenery is beautiful. One of the first historical sites that you will pass is the traditional site for the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes). When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:1-3.

This is the Church of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Matthew 5:4-6.

The Sea of Galilee from the Mt of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:7-9.

Also from the Mt of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12.

By the shore of the Sea of Galilee where the Lord Jesus walked. Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Matthew 4:18.

Church by the Sea of Galilee.

A major portion of the ministy of the Lord Jesus centered around Capernaum. Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea ... Matthew 4:12-13.

The garden at the entrance of Capernaum. The Hebrew name is Kfar Nahum or the Village of Nahum, one of the prophets of Israel. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him ... Nahum 1:7.

At Capernaum, there is a statue of Peter with the verse ... and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matthew 16:18. Many people think this verse is talking about Peter but that is not correct. The Lord Jesus is talking about Himself, since He is the Christ, the Messiah, being the Rock and the Cornerstone of His Church. Peter knew the correct answer when the Lord Jesus asked the question. "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."Matthew 16:15-16.

The synagogue at Capernaum. Two thousand years ago the Lord Jesus taught here. They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. Mark 1:21.

These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. John 6:59.

The Greek Orthodox Church from the synagogue at Capernaum.

Ancient pillars still in tact at the synagogue.

Artwork at the top of the pillars.

Capernaum is by the seashore. ... and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. John 6:17.

So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. John 6:24.

Beautiful shade tree by the Galilee shore at Capernaum.

This little shade tree is on top of Mt. Arbel just west of the Sea of Galilee.

The views from Arbel are always worth seeing again.

In the middle of the Jezreel Valley, looking north you can see Nazareth on the hill. And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city (Nazareth), and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. Luke 4:28-30.

Driving back to Jerusalem through the Jordan Valley, there is a nice rest stop close to Jericho. This photo is looking up the trunk of a date palm tree.

Dates that will be ripe soon.

For a few shekels, there is always a camel to ride at this rest stop.

The sun was going down in Jerusalem as we got home. For this photo of the Old City from the south, there was still too much sunlight.

With the sun at my back, the photo of the Mt of Olives came out better. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 all describe a discussion of the future between the Lord Jesus and his disciples that took place on the Mt of Olives. As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Matthew 24:3.