Thursday, April 3, today we went to a beautiful nature reserve with gorgeous trails leading through dense forest, streams and the Chatzbani River (one of the tributaries of the Jordan River). This is the site where the tribe of Dan once lived. This area was the northernmost dwelling place of the Jews, as we find many a time "from Dan to Be'er Shevah"- Dan was the northernmost point while Be'er Sheva was the southernmost point.
Next we headed to Caesarea Philippi. This city was built by Herod's son Philip on a large plateau at the foot of Mount Hermon where the headwaters of the Jordan River emerge from a grotto. From ancient times the place was the site of worship of pagan nature gods, first Baal & then Pan. In Matthew 16:13-19 it states “When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi …He said to …Simon Peter … you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church …”
Friday, April 4, we started our journeys by going to Tabgha (Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes). Tabgha is the traditional site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes (Matthew 14: 13-21). It is situated in a narrow, fertile valley on the northern shore of the lake, watered by several springs.
We then went off to Capernaum. The site is a ruin today, but was inhabited from 150 BC to about AD 750. The town is mentioned in the New Testament: in the Gospel of Luke it was reported to have been the home of the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John. In Matthew 4:13 the town was reported to have been the home of Jesus himself. According to Luke, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum, and a building which may have been a synagogue of that period has been found beneath the remains of a later synagogue.
We ended our day with a stop at the Jordan River. After that we loaded the bus for a 2 hour ride to Jerusalem. Past the Bedouin villages, across the desert, and finally through a tunnel we entered the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem…we are here at last. Tomorrow we head into the Old City for a day a walking and touring sites new and old. Sorry about not having a blog last night (the internet was down at the Kibbutz). Take care. Shabbat Shalom.
Next we headed to Caesarea Philippi. This city was built by Herod's son Philip on a large plateau at the foot of Mount Hermon where the headwaters of the Jordan River emerge from a grotto. From ancient times the place was the site of worship of pagan nature gods, first Baal & then Pan. In Matthew 16:13-19 it states “When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi …He said to …Simon Peter … you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church …”
Friday, April 4, we started our journeys by going to Tabgha (Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes). Tabgha is the traditional site of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes (Matthew 14: 13-21). It is situated in a narrow, fertile valley on the northern shore of the lake, watered by several springs.
We then went off to Capernaum. The site is a ruin today, but was inhabited from 150 BC to about AD 750. The town is mentioned in the New Testament: in the Gospel of Luke it was reported to have been the home of the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John. In Matthew 4:13 the town was reported to have been the home of Jesus himself. According to Luke, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum, and a building which may have been a synagogue of that period has been found beneath the remains of a later synagogue.
We ended our day with a stop at the Jordan River. After that we loaded the bus for a 2 hour ride to Jerusalem. Past the Bedouin villages, across the desert, and finally through a tunnel we entered the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem…we are here at last. Tomorrow we head into the Old City for a day a walking and touring sites new and old. Sorry about not having a blog last night (the internet was down at the Kibbutz). Take care. Shabbat Shalom.
4 comments:
Hey guys,
Sounds like you're having a good time despite the internet fun. Please pass on to Bill that I've spoken with Sonia and she's fine although it has been raining constantly! Looks like you got the good weather.
Hello, Bill and all~~
We are enjoying so much reading about your wonderful Holy Land journey! It gives us a small taste of what an overwhelming experience it must be to actually see where Jesus walked.
The pictures are beautiful!
We will be following your travels all the way.
God bless,
Sharon and Charlie
(Hi Sonia! We're following your travels too) :o)
hey buds, glad to see you're wearing your hats, all the best, Nan
Oh, whata blessing to read your comments and see these lovely photos of THE Holy Land! Love following along...wishing we were there with ya'll. Looks WONDERFUL!!!
Love,
Becky N
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