We have had a wonderful day today doing what I call  ‘walking on sunshine’ .  We have spent the day travelling up and down that part of the shores of the Sea of Galilee where all the evidence  (archaeological, biblical and geographic)  points to the historical Jesus and his disciples living and proclaiming their message to the local population. One of the overwhelming understandings gained  is the small geographical area within which it all took place. The Beatitudes sermon, feeding the 5000, his appearance to the disciples on the Seas shore after the resurrection and so on all took place in this  tight little space. It was from this area  that Christianity then spread out through the world.

The day started with a visit to the museum that holds the fishing boat  found in the mud of the Sea dating back to the time of Jesus. From there we went in our own boat onto the Sea and looked towards the shore in much the same way as they did 2000 years ago. We had a short Communion service on board. Returning to land we then visited the mountain (a big hill) where the Beatitudes sermon was arguably delivered, if not there then not far away. On then to the site of the multiplication of the 2 fish and 5 loaves, followed by the shoreline area  where  Jesus most likely appeared to the disciples after the resurrection. Finally, Capernaum and Peter’s house,  if not actually  his then one dating about the same time. Some extensive archaeological evidence supports this conclusion. It was from  the fishing village of Capernaum that Jesus early ministry was based.

We returned a little weary to the hotel but having experienced a rewarding day of connecting ‘stories’ to their locations and thereby enhancing understanding.

Off tomorrow to Nazareth.