The Sea of Tiberias, an alias for the Sea of Galilee, is approximately 12km (7.5 miles) wide and 20km (12.4 miles) long. It is the only natural fresh water lake in the nation of Israel. The Dead Sea is larger, however it is not fresh water. According to the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Sea of Galilee provides more than 25% of the fresh water to the nation of Israel.
To see the same beautiful lake, walk the same shores that Jesus walked leaves you without words. The Gospel comes alive, when you see the actual places where Jesus stood on the shoreline, walked on the water, cooked for the disciples and began His world saving ministry.
Waking up before dawn is not something on the to-do lists of most travelers, even though it means taking in a quiet sunrise and spending your morning where Jesus spent much of His adult life.
I woke up early in order to catch the effect of the sunrise on these holy waters.
Jesus calls each of us, even now, to be followers! I can imagine Jesus being here as I sat quietly reading God’s word on the shoreline and see and hear the gentle waves crashing upon the shore. And He is still calling for followers!
Jesus, who grew up in nearby Nazareth, spent much of his years teaching ministry along these coasts.
On a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, one of the most spiritually stirring moments takes place on the lake itself.
We visited Nof Ginosar and its museum dedicated to the “Boat of Jesus” excavated 30 years ago. This small, wooden boat was discovered in 1986, and is a traditional first-century fisherman’s boat. No one knows who rode in the boat, but it is known to be from the time of Jesus and represents the boat design from that period. What a sight to see a boat from the 1st century and have a glimpse at the type of vessel Jesus may have ridden.
This would have been the type boat used by Peter, John and Andrew when Jesus first approached them and said, “Follow me.” (Mark 1:16-20)
Unforgettable encounter with the magical Sea of Galilee.
