Back from the Galilee!

Jerusalem, Israel - Wow, for a place as western as Israel it is almost impossible to get a wireless internet connection anywhere outside of Jerusalem! Sorry for the long gap between posts. I'll be in range for the next few days so keep checking.

For those of you who have tried to post a comment and couldn't I've fixed that feature, I think, so give it a try.

I'm back from a 6 day tour of the Galilee region. This was the final major leg of the trip. Although I was tired and ready to go home there was still a see. Galilee is home to major OT sites like Mt. Carmel, Hazor, and Dan, as well as important NT sites like Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin. The Sea of Galilee is the crown jewel of the region and we spent three nights at a kibbutz located right on the shore.

While we're there the sea was quite calm. Hardly any waves at all. It was hard to believe that this was the same body of water that caused the disciples, experienced fishermen, to fear for their lives. Of course we took a boat ride, and during our ride the captain of the boat told us a story that vividly illustrated the power of storms on the Sea of Galilee. Here's what he told us.

Three or four months ago a rather large boat was abandon on the sea. It was a pleasure craft. The kind that people rent to have large parties on the water. He said it was too large a boat for this body of water, and should never have been allowed in. After it was abandoned, it drifted around the sea and threatened to create problems so the authorities tied it up at the small port near Capernaum (Jesus' base of operations). Soon after it was tied up there, the sailors began to warn the government that the boat was too big for that port. They complained that if a storm came up the boat would damage the dock. Sure enough the threatened storm arrived, and according to the captain 10 foot waves lifted the boat onto the dock and ruined it. He said the boat weighed 300,000 tons (that seems too big to me, but he obviously thought it was a huge boat.) Regardless of the precise size, he took us to see the boat dock and sure enough it was out of commission (Pic 1). It must be damaged more severely that it looks because none of the boats in the area were using it at all. The captain said repairs were simply too costly for the goverment to undertake now. The derelict boat was cut up and sold for scrap metal (Pic 2).

I mention this story to illustrate the power of a storm on this famous sea. Of course, what is most important to remember is that during one similar ancient storm Jesus stepped up and told that rowdy sea to pipe down. And the sea listened! We must exclaim with the disciples, “What sort of man is this, even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:27). Just what sort of man is this? I hardly know him like I should. Oh Lord, grant me the desire to delight in your Son more than in anything else.

From Israel, thanks for your prayers,

Steve

Tomorrow: A breakfast rant!