Yesterday and today we've been at the Sea of Galilee. It's quite an occasion for us. The lake is big--12 miles long, 7 miles wide. And a bit of a surprise. For one thing, its elevation is so low (600 feet below sea level) that it's quite warm. For another thing, it's humid! Jerusalem is dry like central Oregon but even though the hills around Galilee are dry like central Oregon, humidity makes the area feels tropical. The land around the lake is quite fertile, but they grow things like bananas and mangoes. The flower are tropical, too: Connie has identified hibiscus and bird of paradise, flowers she used to see when she lived in the jungles of Peru. It's a beautiful area. We sat on the beach last night and watched the sun go down. The water was warm and we could see the lights of the town of Tiberias on the other side of the lake.
But of course what makes Galilee most noteworthy is that this is where Jesus carried out a good deal of his ministry. We are at a resort/kibbutz called Ein Gev, on the east side of the lake. This is approximately where I figure Jesus went ashore when he healed the Gadarene demoniac and the demons went into a herd of pigs and rushed off a cliff and fell into the lake (see Mark 5). We have yet to visit Capernaum (it's on the other side) but we plan to go there tomorrow.
Yesterday we spent time at Nazareth, where Christ spent his boyhood. It has grown into a rather large city, but we had a good visit nonetheless. We stood on the cliff where in Luke 4, people attempted to throw Jesus to his death following his controversial sermon in the synagogue. Believe me, if they had succeeded, he would have had a long fall! Nazareth is located in the highlands overlooking a fertile valley and that cliff plunges straight down for hundreds of feet.
We spent a good part of today in the region north of the Sea of Galilee, exploring the headwaters of the Jordan River. The Jordan is a small, meandering stream for much of its length, but near its source, it is vigorous, beautful and has a waterfall that would do the Columbia Gorge proud. We saw Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made his confession that Jesus is the Messiah (see Matthew 16). Some of the stuff I picked up there will probably show up in a sermon come September.
By now, we are getting to know our classmates pretty well. Good relationships have been formed, especially with people from Columbia International University in South Carolina. I never knew about the school, but based on the people I've met, it must be a first-class place.
There are times when I try to evaluate "what's the most impressive thing I've seen." But to tell you the truth, it's like I've been drinking for two weeks from a spigot flowing full blast. Everything is impressive! One thing I really enjoyed seeing today was the ruins of an old city called Dan, which is north of Galilee. The gate of city, which has been excavated, and which we saw and photographed, was there in 19th century B.C. Our professor informed us that it's very likely that Abraham walked through that very gate on his way south from Haran into Canaan. That's pretty special!
Aside from having too much to absorb, we are happy and healthy, and having a very good time. Today we hiked over 5 miles. The food is good. Our hotel rooms are basic but comfortable. The air conditioning works. And yes, out my window I can see the lights of Tiberias as the day fades toward darkness.
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