Sunday, February 27^th

This morning we left our hotel and walked about 100 yards to our boat that would carry us across the Sea of Galilee to the “Jesus Boat” exhibit. It is called the Jesus Boat because it was a normal sized fishing boat from the general historical period of Jesus. No one really believes it was a boat that He actually spoke from or rode in. It was chilly and a little cloudy with some haze, but it was truly a beautiful experience. The group leaders decided that I should share the experience of Jesus being asleep in the boat during the storm (see Matthew 8:23-27). There was a lot of pre recorded music like How Great Thou Art and other favorites as we travelled along. It was very moving. Then came the moment for the dance of celebration; a moment that Bobby and I watched from a distance. I hope I can get the video clip to work for you.

The Jesus Boat exhibit was very interesting and if you Google it you can learn a great deal about the discovery, preservation, and display of this fishing boat. This boat moved around the lake 2000 years ago, and was floated again, out of its tomb, coated in foam to the location where it was carefully preserved. But today was a running tour so off we go.

Everywhere we look we see the fulfillment of prophecy about God restoring the land to its bounty in the end times- but only for His people. The produce is incredibly varied and is growing everywhere- even in former mine fields.

We went to the Mount of Beatitudes to see the natural amphitheater that was this beautiful hill side on the Sea of Galilee. We had scripture readings and prayer as we overlooked the sea. There is a church there that has each of the Beatitudes written in Latin on large signs around the inside of a beautiful dome with a blue and gold mosaic ceiling. We could not stay long, so we were off to Hazor. This city was a major Canaanite city, a regional power, where many children were sacrificed to the false gods of this nation. Some were burned with fire to the false god Molech. Others were sacrificed to  Baal or one fertility god or the other. Joshua came along and killed the inhabitants and burned the city to the ground. A current archaeological dig has discovered the layer where all of the ashes of the city were found. Solomon later had the city restored, and there were walls and columns unearthed that are there for all to see. The Bible is true. The stories are true. The God of the Bible is true.