A Glimpse into the Life of Jesus

This seems like a good place to share one of my favorite Bible verses.

"Jesus said to them, ‘Come and eat breakfast.’ Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who are You?’—knowing that it was the Lord"  John 21:12.

This command from the resurrected Lord came right after a portion of the disciples had fished on the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberius as scripture calls it here) all night without any success. Jesus had commanded them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and they yielded a multitude of fish. When the disciples came into shore, Jesus had prepared a fire and was cooking fish for them on the beach.

First thing this morning, we were out on the Sea of Galilee, just as those disciples, having fellowship, music, dancing to Hava Nagila and yes, even casting nets on both sides of the boat. We did not catch anything today, and Jesus did not welcome us to shore with a hot fish breakfast. As I watched a family on the sandy shore, it wasn't difficult to imagine our risen Lord waiting there for the disciples.

We then made a surprise and incredible stop at Magdala ("tower") on the west shore of the Galilee. This archeological site has been excavated over the last decade to reveal incredible mosaic floor tiles, ritual baths, and a first century synagogue that is almost certain to have been a spot Jesus would have been, healed, cast out demons, and probably preached.

Our next stop was a drive up into Nazareth https://www.bibleplaces.com/nazareth/ to the Nazareth Village. Here we had an incredible first century lunch of chicken, lentil soup, cabbage salad, a bread similar to na'an or pita, olives, hummus, apples and fig honey. We explored the replica village complete with shepherds in costume, a donkey, sheep, and an olive press. Much of the food is grown right there on the property. While not everyone liked every part of the meal, I think most were happy that it was something besides falafel. (I believe falafel is an option again tomorrow.)

I don't know about the rest of the gang, but I took a nap between Nazareth and our last stop of the day, Capernaum. I vaguely remember Miriam talking about Tabgha, the traditional place of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

At Capernaum https://www.bibleplaces.com/capernaum/ we had a devotional from Jim Showers out of Matthew 8. "If you believe that the church has replaced Israel, it makes it easier to turn against the Jewish people. God has not turned against the Jewish people. If the Jewish people don't exist, God can't complete his plan. We have been entrusted with truth, and with that truth comes responsibility. God expects much from those He has given to: bearing the truth, sharing with others, and putting our trust in God."

This echoed his earlier message on the Jesus boat where Jim spoke on trials and tribulations in our lives, and how God works those things for good when we trust in Him (Romans 8). Sometimes the Lord's answer is "I have something better for you." The place to turn to is the Lord, who teaches His lessons in faith, when life deals us tribulations. Jim reminded us that our strength is in the Lord when we choose to trust in Him.

Who do you trust in- yourself or the Lord?

Our Team 
Blog author: Amy Westphal
Ministry Initiative Specialist
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

Photos: Melissa DiLiberto
Ministry Services Supervisor
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry