Friday Update from Jaffa (Joppa)

A LOT has happened during the past two days, so here's a quick summary of what we've done. In each site, we read the scripture describing what happened in that place.

Thursday:

- Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The fact that they played Elvis singing Amazing Grace was a particularly nice touch for a group from Memphis.

- Jesus Boat. This ancient boat was discovered in the mud off the shore of the Sea of Galilee and dates back to the time of Christ.

- Mount of Beatitudes. This is the traditional sight of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. After visiting the chapel, we went into the garden to read the Beatitudes and other large sections of the entire sermon from scripture.

- Border with Lebanon. We traveled to far north Israel and looked over into Lebanon, learning about the recent history of this corner of Israel bordering both Lebanon and Syria. From there we traveled to the Golan Heights for the next two stops.

- Caeseria Philippi. We visited the remains of this city which was the site of Peter's confession that Jesus was the Christ.

- Falls of Banias. While not a biblical sight, these falls were the most beautiful natural sight we encountered. From the park, we could see the Crusader's Castle above Caeseria Philippi as well as Mount Hermon, the traditional site of Christ's transfiguration.

- Capernaum. This area was the primary base of Christ's ministry and the sight of many of his miracles. We visited the synagoge where he taught as well as what is believed to be Peter's home nearby.

Friday:

- Tagba. This is the site of Jesus' multiplication of the fishes and loaves on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

- Primacy of St. Peter. We walked on the shore where Jesus appeared to the disciples on the shore, leading to their miraculous catch. Standing there fairly early in the morning reading about the disciples fishing just 100 yards from shore when Jesus called to them was particularly powerful.

- Cana of Galilee. We only drove through the city were Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water to wine at the wedding.

- Nazareth. We visited the traditional site where the angel appeared to Mary announcing that she would bear Christ. Inside the church is the house believed to be the home of Mary and Joseph.

- Megiddo. We drove through this city where Solomon built chariot houses and which plays so prominently in the final chapters of Revelation.

- Mt. Carmel. We stood on top of the mountain where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, reading the entire account as we looked out over the Jezreel Valley in which much Old Testament history unfolded.

- Caesarea. This is a beautiful city on the Mediteranean Sea. We visited the Roman Ampitheater, the structure for chariot races and tournaments (ie: lions against people), the site of Herod's Castle, the Crusder Castle, and the aqueducts bringing water to the city from mountains several miles away.

We have now arrived in Jaffa (biblical Joppa) where we will spend tonight and Saturday visiting the old city. We leave for the airport in the middle of the night on Saturday to begin our journey home, so this will be our last post from Israel.

Thanks for your continued prayers. Blessings from the shore of the Mediteranean Sea!