The Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes

Upon leaving  John the Baptist, Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.  The devil came to tempt Jesus, taunting Him to make bread out of stones for His immediate hunger and offering Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would only worship Satan, but Jesus chased the demon away.

Mural above door at Church of Beatitudes

Meanwhile, John the Baptist was imprisoned for talking smack about the government, which is a freedom we take far too much for granted in the United States, since in much of the world speaking freely will still land you in prison.

Jesus returned to Galilee from the wilderness "in the power of the Holy Spirit" and began His ministry.

Statue of Peter in Capharnaum

He spoke in places of worship around Capharnaum, a fishing village by the large lake that's called the Sea of Galilee, gaining local renown and esteem, which John the Baptist's preparation of His way had undoubtedly helped immensely, but when Jesus returned to Jerusalem and declared that the prophecies had been fulfilled in Him, his neighbors could not see Him as more than the boy who grew up in their village to become a carpenter.  "Is this not the son of Joseph?"

So, realizing a prophet is not recognized in his own home, He returned to Capharnaum, where He not only preached but also performed miracles, like instantly healing the ill, including Simon the fisherman's mother-in-law who had been in bed with a high fever when Jesus visited their home.

Jesus apparently found great affinity with fishermen, who were rugged, hard working men that in essence depended for their livelihoods on the natural bounty provided by God as harvested by their personal efforts.

Like those of us who enjoy cruises, Jesus also seemed to love being around the water.

As He stood by the huge blue lake one day, with people pushing close to hear what He might say, Jesus saw Simon washing his nets after an unsuccessful day of fishing.

Jesus told Simon and his crew to go back out and cast their net once more.

The Sea of Galilee

Church of Beatitudes

This would mean having to clean and prepare their gear all over again, which anyone who has been on a boat understands can be time consuming, but Simon said that since Jesus told him to try once more, he would cast out again. Simon's net immediately filled with so many fish that he couldn't pull them all aboard without breaking the net.

Mount of Beatitudes

A meager day's work turned into a bountiful catch.

Knowing this is a miracle, Simon said, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

But Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for men.”

We enjoyed lovely views of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (click here to read it), and Capharnaum, which now proclaims itself to be "The Town of Jesus," because it is where Jesus chose to live for much of His ministry.

Before Jesus arrived, however, Capharnaum was the hometown of Simon (whom Jesus called Peter, the rock), who went on to found the Catholic Church in pagan Rome after the resurrection of Jesus, as well as Simon's fellow fishermen Andrew, James and John plus the tax collector Matthew, all of whom were recruited by Jesus to be His disciples.

In Capharnaum, which is mentioned in all four Gospels, some of the most famous deeds of Jesus transpired, including the healing of a paralytic carried on a cot by four men in hopes of seeing Jesus.

Songbook at the Church of Beatitudes

Unable to get through the crowds at the door, they climbed atop the house where Jesus was teaching and made a hole in the thatched roof large enough to lower their friend in.  Seeing such faith, Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven."

Scribes and Pharisees objected, asking, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Capharnaum

Jesus saw this as a trap to get Him to claim His divinity, which would be punishable by death, so after a rather weak rhetorical argument, He said, "Take your mat and go home.”

The paralytic immediately stood up, picked up his mat and walked out, which answered the challenge not in words but in deed.

Julie in Capharnaum

Jesus healed lepers, made the blind see and even raised the dead, but He could also delegate his power to true believers.

When Jesus had entered Capharnaum, a centurion came to Him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

Ruins of Synagogue in Carphanaum

Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Roman Ruins at Capharnaum

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those following Him,
“Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

Roman Columns in Capharnaum

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.”

And his servant was healed at that moment.

From Matthew Chapter 8, Versus 5-11, 13

While the glory of Jesus unfolded, John the Baptist continued to linger in prison, in part because John had preached against King Herod the Tetrarch (not to be confused with King Herod the Great, who had slaughtered babies attempting to kill Jesus) unlawfully marrying his brother Philip's wife.

Tabgha Church of Mulitplication
of the Loaves and Fishes

At a dinner party, the wife and her daughter asked for John the Baptist to be killed, so Herod did so, against his better instincts. Servants brought John's head on a silver platter into the party.

When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Byzantine Mosaic Tile at Tabgha Church of Mulitplication

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” He said.  

Detail of Door at Tabgha Church of Multiplication
featuring Jesus preaching from a small boat

And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew  Chapter 14, Verses 13-21, Holy Bible New International Version

Interior at Church of Beatitudes

While the story reveals God's power to meet our needs, I think it is also an invitation to be part of a miracle for others.  My wife Julie always packs some snacks for trips to the beach or park, and I assume in Biblical times, others did the same.  Once the belief in lack had been overcome by the faith of Jesus in abundance, and people began to share with each other of their own free will, there was more than enough for everyone.

One clear message from the ministry of Jesus in Galilee is that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to everyone who has faith in God. 

4th Century Byzantine Church at Tabgha

Mount of Beatitudes

Capharnaum