The anticipation of having our Memorial Service on the Mount of Beatitudes was dampened as we arose to view from our hotel windows the black ominous clouds over the Sea of Galilee. Light rain had begun to fall. A gloom seemed to be cast over our group as our meeting outdoors at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes was to be a focal point of our visit here
Faced with the problem of where to hold our service, we found our trustworthy guide, “Zeke”, already formulating plans with Sister Margaret Higham. He’s such a nice fellow and quite sympathetic towards our faith, but yet a little bewildered. One thing he soon became very aware of however, was the fact that we very sincerely believe in the Hope of Israel.
We started our day with a new and smaller Mercedes bus as well as an Arab driver. Our previous driver, (“Ezekiel #1, so called), whom we all had come to think a great deal of (particularly the younger girls) was forced to leave as the bus had engine trouble and he had no choice but to take it in for repair. After boarding the bus we shared our usual opening prayer and reading and then began our first Sunday as pilgrims in the Promised Land. We were all prepared for a real busy day with many hours of riding ahead of us. Brother Bob Lloyd had orally mapped out our journey the evening before and we all eagerly anticipated the events of the day.
We traveled several miles and found ourselves on the shores of Galilee at an enchanting chapel and garden which was owned and cared for by the Y M C A. Arrangements had been made for us to hold our Memorial service here and a more suitable place could not have been found. It was so plain and simple with a sweet-sounding organ that Sister Trynie Brittle played for us as we sang hymns of praise and thankfulness. Needless to say we had a memorable service and felt very close to God and His dear Son. Bro. Paul Wade exhorted appropriately on the Beatitudes and it was most edifying.
The weather had begun to clear temporarily as we approached Capernaum, the ruins of which stand on a wooded site close to the Sea of Galilee. A synagogue has been uncovered here. Capernaum is mentioned as the headquarters of Jesus in Matthew 4:13, Mark 1:21 and Luke 4:31. So much Biblical history is linked with this one area. Peter’s house was alleged to have been here. According to John 7:24-71, the discourse which followed the feeding of the 5,000 was also delivered here. Jesus predicted the utter ruin of Capernaum in Matthew 11:23, 24 and Luke 10:15; and we are viewing these very ruins !
We were extremely impressed by the reliefs of the Ark of the Covenant and the Star of David so perfectly cut into the stone which was originally part of the old synagogue. Our friend, Zeke, did an excellent job of describing each detail to us as we walked from one little area to another.
Now we could hear a boat approaching the dock here at Capernaum. Zeke told us it was time to leave and we hurried to the dock. The steel-hulled boat looked uncleared for but sea-worthy. It was about 40 feet long and had two decks, the one above was open for sight seeing.
The blue, unadulterated Sea of Galilee was calm now and we could see the Mount of Beatitudes in the distance. So religiously beautiful! Peter attempted to walk on this sea.
We watched the calm suddenly turn to slight turbulence as the sea roughened a little and soon there were white caps on the water. An experience never to be forgotten; not due to fear but due to our deep faith and loving knowledge of Christ’s experiences with His disciples on these very same waters. We looked back at the Mount of Beatitudes and even in the rain it was so lovely. I guess it was because it meant so much to see and be so close to the area that Jesus chose to instruct His disciples in the divine wisdom that only He possessed. Sister Lois and I still feel a twinge of sensation when we talk about this together. We could see the little chapel now where we had enjoyed so fitting a Memorial Service only a few hours ago. It looked so peaceful and serene as we viewed it from the water.
The waters calmed as we approached the shores of Tiberius from the leeward side, sheltered from the wind. We quickly boarded the awaiting bus to continue on our route to Jerusalem. Just think, Jesus Himself had appeared in this very area even after His resurrection as mentioned in John 21:1 “After these things Jesus shewed Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberius; and on this wise shewed He Himself”.
Zeke announced that we were to soon stop to enjoy the delicacy of “St. Peter’s Fish”. It had been caught in the Sea of Galilee and in Israel is considered a feast fit for a king. The Blue Beach restaurant was located near the shores of the sea. Our fish was placed before us by a smiling Israeli waiter. To our astonishment its head, gills and tail remained intact and the glassy eyeball stared up from the plate. It gave our sisters a “bit of a jolt” to say the least! Fresh dates were served as our dessert and they were delectable—one of the nicest foods we had during our stay.
It was here in Tiberius that the dance took place that required the head of John the Baptist. So many things came to mind as we continued our journey. We passed several monuments to the War dead made of very large slabs of stone. The Israeli do not believe in graven images of any kind as scripturally stated in Exodus 20:4.
We rode by the Hot Springs of Tiberius and shortly thereafter passed the original Kibbutz of Israel. We crossed the Jordan river and as we turned we could see where the mouth of the Jordan leaves the Sea of Galilee. It then flows thru the Jordan valley and empties into the Dead Sea. There are rough roads in this area. Sheep and shepherds are along the way and the camels are most interesting to watch. There are groves of date palms now. Imagine, Elijah the prophet must have walked in this very area!
Brother Alec Higham read from the 4th thru the 14th chapter of Matthew, describing the steps of the Master. This area is chock-full of Biblical significance. We passed near the place where Jesus met the lepers as told in Matthew 8:2-4. As we headed toward Samaria we came to Jezreel, one of the capitals of Ahab (1 Kings) and Mt. Gilboa. Here the Philistines fought Israel and Saul’s three sons were slain as well as himself. Now we pass thru Dothan near the caravan route where Joseph was sold by his brethren.
Shechem (or Sichem) was the home of Jacob and his twelve sons. Here fig and almond trees are growing along the side of the road but it is not yet time for harvest. Here and there we could see a picturesque olive grove.
We went on to Shiloh where the Ark of the Covenant was set up. As we traveled up, up, up into the Judean hills, we were stopped by an Arab along the road selling olive-oil soap. Zeke allowed him to board the bus with his young cohort and he soon found that the Christadelphians were eager buyers. He really did well by us and smiled contentedly as he waved goodbye.
Zeke became tired of talking and asked that he rest awhile. Sister Lois Riley and Sister Trynie Brittle led us as we raised our voices in enthusiastic and grateful praise to our heavenly Father. We gave Zeke a hymn book so that he could follow the words as we harmoniously (and I might add in acappella) flooded the bus with “Hail To The Brightness of Zion’s Glad Morning”. We sang and sang. The music seemed to adapt itself to our surroundings.
There was Jerusalem before us! The bus was filled with joy as we sang Anthem 35—“Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem” Our hearts were overwhelmingly grateful for this moment as we viewed the City of the Great King!
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One