One of the reasons "clergy" get such a good rate is that we have to endure sales-pitches from every hotel and restaurant in town! This way when we bring a group back over we can know which places are available.
This morning we saw the "scotttish missionary hotel". Founded in the 1800's by some scottish missionary it was a pretty snazzy place, but nothin too special.
After that we took a boat ride on sea of gallilee! This was phenomenal! We were out floating where Jesus floated so long ago. Looking around we could see the city on hill that Jesus mentioned during the sermon on the mount. The city of "magdelen" was also visible, and, you guessed it, that was the spot where Mary Magdelen was from. Capernaum, Korazin, Bethsaida, Tiberias, all the places Jesus had been where in view. It seems he stayed to the upper crescent of the lake, which would make it very possible for the "crowds to run and meet him at the other side".
After that we went up to "the church of beatitudes". This was a very cool spot, and one that I had been anticipating. It is built in an octagon shape, to represent the 8 "beatitudes". Inside is nothing special but the view is amazing. You can see how 5000 people could fit on the hill side as it is a natural ampitheater.
When we pulled up there were nun's racing around patrolling the place like bees in a hive. We began to make our way down to one sitting area on the side of the hill and the nun came up and said "you need permission to go down there", so Steve said "oh sorry, can we have permission" and she said "ok, fine" Glad we asked
We walked a little ways down to a garden opening with seats so the Reuben could explain the site. First Steve Bray took the stage as a bit of a test, and tried to explain something Reuben had talked about last year - "salt losing it's salitiness". Steve did a great job and it gave us excellent insight into these stories Jesus told.
Here's the story: Back in Jesus' time, people would get their salt from the dead sea. As you can see from the pictures it is raw salt filled with minerals and comes in chunks, not at all like the refined salt that we have today. They would take these chunks and actually sew them into linen bags and carry their salt back to where they lived.
They would keep these "bags of salt" around for when they wanted to add seasoning to soups or broth and then they would dip that "salt bag" in to add the flavour. Over time with heat the salt would dissolve and go into the soup, and eventually, over time, the bag would be reduced in salt content and what was left behind was just the old mushy minerals. People would take this left over mineral mush and put in on their walk ways because it would crystalize and make a path.
Reuben then went on to explain more about the "beatitudes". The word for "blessed" is the jewish word "asheeraynoo". This word occurs 8 times ("blessed are") 9 times including the summary. "asheeraanoo" translates "we are enriched by, blessed by" and is used by the Jews in their morning prayers up until today! Every morning a jew gets up and says 9 "blessings"/ prayes. 9 times Jews use the word "asheeraanoo" when praying and so when Jesus uses it 9 times it is an excellent illustration of not abolishing the law, but fullfilling it. Directly after the beatitudes Jesus says "I have not come to abolish the law, but fullfill it" and his hearers, who were familiar with the "asheeraynoo" blessing would have completely understood what he meant.
More and more throughout the trip we realized that Jesus didn't just pick things out of the air, he had a purpose when speaking to a jewish audience. We need to understand that Jewish audience to understand what Jesus meant.
Taking a little longer bus ride we came to "Ceaserea philipi", temple of pan (gates of hell). Missed out on the druz guy, bought a masada placemat for my mom and almost an "israel parks & rec touque".
Stopping in Capernaum, we saw peter's house, the synagogue where jesus went,
- Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes
- We also stopped at a museum of a 2000 year old boat
- went up to the golan heights
-UN base where younker was
- in syria
- kibbutz ein gev
- crossing jordan
- galilean experience that night
My husband almost caught one. Definitely a worthwhile jaunt.