Galilee day 4

Tina Huber

Reflection Day 13

Galilee 4

January 19, 2012

What a start to the day! We boarded a fishing boat and crossed the Sea of Galilee! It was the highlight of my day. The air was crisp and the clouds were a little low which added a little haze to the hills that surrounded us. It was an absolutely beautiful morning! The sea is actually a lake. It is a fresh water lake and has over 30 different types of fish in it. We learned today that almost half of the species would not have been kosher. So, the question was raised, would Peter and Andrew have thrown these fish back or sell them to the gentiles? Zebedee was thought to have a successful fishing business, so most believe that they had many dealings with gentile merchants. I’ve always just thought that Jesus picked the fishermen because they were faithful Jewish men who were just common folk. That by using men who weren’t highly educated God’s greatness would be magnified in their weakness. I still believe that is one element of why he chose them, but maybe he also chose them because God’s salvation needed to go to the other nations. He would need men who understand how to deal with gentiles. If Jesus had picked men who came from isolated, strict Jewish communities maybe it would have been more difficult for them to carry out the great commission. The Sea of Galilee has an international highway that runs right along it. This area would be a mixed culture for sure. I think it makes sense and gives a better understanding of who the apostles were. We leave the boat and head to the ‘cliffs of insanity’! The proper name is the Cliffs of Arbel but I couldn’t stop thinking of The Princess Bride when I would look at it! My first thought was that is insane. It is a straight down drop. I am not scared of heights but I have to say I was feeling a little uneasy trying to peak down the side. My husband would not have liked it! Since it had rained all day yesterday it would have been too dangerous to hike down. So we sat up top and read the great commission. Some believe that this is where Jesus gave the great commission. As I sat there watching the clouds engulf the hill next to us I started to imagine the ascension as well. It gave me chills to think about it. We had an amazing view over the city Magdala and the Sea of Galilee. I think I could have sat up there for hours. I have felt that about many of our sites and when I come back with my hubby we will make a point to do that. I really want to share these experiences with him! Can you tell I’m getting home sick? We had lunch and I ate my first pitaless falafel. Eating hasn’t been too bad but I hadn’t felt like I had yet had Israeli cuisine until today. I was told that this restaurant is the fast food version of it but I thought it was yummy. We stopped just long enough for the rain to come through and leave us with some sunshine as we drove to Caesarea. This is another place I could have spent some more time exploring. It is a city that Herod The Great made into a port city. He made a harbor. It is amazing to me that he was able to accomplish this 2,000 yrs ago! He made underwater cement out of volcanic dust to build a harbor and marina for the ships to come too. If that wasn’t extravagant enough he also built a temple to Caesar and of course a palace. Our last lesson was here. We sat next to the hearing room. This is where Paul would pleaded his case before Felix and Festus and appealed to Caesar. It was suggested that because Paul was a Roman citizen that he probably didn’t die in Rome when he was sent there. His citizenship would have protected him from the Jewish accusations and that he might have done a fourth and fifth missionary trip to Spain. I’ve never heard that before. I have really enjoyed taking this class. I had romanticized this trip into being a purely spiritual journey. It has been much more than that and I am thankful. I have learned a heck of a lot about a heck of a lot! Does that make any sense? I would like to thank Caesarea for a wonderful cup of coffee. I will cherish the memories of the sites that I have seen, the scriptures I have read, and the time I have spent with Olivia. Our Greenville group was paired with another college from the states as we toured Israel. I would like to leave you with a few things that I will not miss.

1. The word ‘like’ being used in a way that does not describe something you are fond of
2. Cold showers
3. No toilet paper! I’m going to start a mission group to send TP to Israel
4. Having unidentifiable stuff on your hotel bedding
5. Nescafe instant coffee
6. Steps
7. people whining about being in Israel!
8. trips to the emergency room
9. Eggs
10. taking tests

Here are few things I will miss..

1. Sharing new insights of old bible verses
2. Exploring exciting ancient sites
3. Making memories with my daughter
4. JUC rice...mmmm good
5. Date honey
6. making fun of Nescafe coffee
7. Sitting on the beach
8. Sacred places
9. walking as means of transportation
10. lack of internet and television

I have a test tomorrow and then a few free days. I think I will continue my reflection papers till I get on the plane.