There's something magical about standing on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and watching the sun rise over the Golan Heights to the east.
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Moments later we glimpsed a solitary boat on the still water, a modern boat, maybe used for fishing or recreation. Thoughts naturally turn to the role boats played in the life of our Lord.  Imagine our delight when later this morning we were privileged to view a boat of antiquity which once presented a similar appearance on those same waters. Discovered in 1986 buried deep in the muddy bottom of the lake, this boat has been certified to be around 2000 years old. It was fascinating to learn how it was recovered and restored. Without a doubt, Jesus once spoke to a crowd from such a boat as this.  Ever had your shopping trip ended with a blast from a shofar? It happened this morning at the "Jesus Boat" museum gift shop. Nonetheless, the ladies of our group seized on many money spending opportunities, under significant time pressure!  "The River Jordan Is Deep And Wide..." So go the lyrics of a familiar song, but not so deep or wide here where we crossed the Jordan this morning.  A consensus high point of today's touring was a moment beside the headwaters of the Jordan River, where the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi once stood. Our tour leader, Ken Sheppard, prepared us for what we were to see by reading aloud Peter's declaration that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, and Christ's reply to Peter beginning in Matthew 16:13.  The Jordan River begins here as clear, cold snowmelt flowing from the rock.  TO BE CONTINUED . . . |
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