One of Pastor Art’s recent sermons was concerned with Jesus calling the Galilee fishermen Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John and promising to turn them into fishers of men. The sermon brought back many memories of the Galilee from a tour of Israel that Paulette and I took in 2011.
It was a wonderful tour and as you would expect two of the highlights were to see Bethlehem where Jesus was born and the parts of Jerusalem associated to His crucifixion and resurrection. What I didn’t expect was that the part of the tour I enjoyed the most was the area around the Sea of Galilee. The first reason was that the local scenery was the most dramatic and beautiful that we saw in Israel. The Sea, which is actually a fresh water lake, sits in what is almost a bowl. The land slopes down to the lake from the west, on the north there are some small streams which lead to the lake, on the east there is a high region (the Golan Heights), and to the south the outflow of the lake continues as the Jordan River. We stayed in a cabin on a bluff on the east side overlooking the lake, and the view was spectacular, which I hope these pictures convey.

Paulette’s Pictures of the Galilee at Sunset and Night

The second reason for most enjoying the Galilee is more important. This area is where most of Christ’s ministry took place, and as we went from place to place we could almost see Him walking and teaching. The tour was a secular one, but nevertheless at each Biblical site the guide had someone in the group read the corresponding scripture; it was very meaningful and such a blessing. We were very fortunate to ever go on such a tour. Not everyone has the opportunity that we did, but maybe a Biblical tour of the Galilee can provide many of the blessings without physically being there.

Before beginning the tour, you may want to look at a map of the Galilee, either one in the back of your Bible or one of the many good ones online. To take the tour just read the scripture indicated for each of the following stops. (1) Jesus began his ministry while living at the village of Capernaum on the north shore of the Galilee [Matthew 4:12-17]. (2) Jesus called five fisherman from the area of Capernaum and Bethsaida on the north shore to be his disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, John and Philip) [Matthew 4:18-23]. (3) Jesus fed the 5000 with only five loaves and two fish near Bethsaida [John 6:1-13]. (4) Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount on a Hillside overlooking the northwest part of the lake [Matthew 5:1-12]. (5) Jesus cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene probably somewhere near her home village of Magdala which is on the west shore [Luke 8:1-2]. (6) After his resurrection Jesus appeared to some of his disciples who were fishing in the Sea of Galilee [John 21:1-14].

Hopefully you were blessed by the tour. Remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Jim