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Category Archives: Israel 2019

4th Day in Israel

We left the region of Galilee this morning, after having a sunrise service on the Sea of Galilee. It was a long drive to Jerusalem with stops at several places along the way. As we approached Jerusalem, it was clear why they called part of the land “the wilderness.” We will stay in Jerusalem for the remainder of our trip. Here are a few pictures from our stops today.

Best She’an was one of our first stops. It was destroyed in an earth quake. In 1 Samuel 31:8-13, Saul’s body was hung on it’s gate after he was killed.

This is the traditional site where Jesus was baptized. The level of the Jordan River is high right now because of the rain. The normal limits of the river are between the reeds in the picture above.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death is now the location of a monastery. You can see the road that runs at the foot of the buildings, along the side of the Jordan River. On this route to Jerusalem, thieves would hide and rob those who passed. This path was the setting of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

In Jericho, this Sycamore tree stands in remembrance of Zaccheaus. (Now you can sing the song!)

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Posted by Pastor Chas on March 3, 2019 in Israel 2019

3rd Day in Israel

02 Mar

It seems as though we walked miles today. The weather was not as pleasant as yesterday; it was cold, cloudy, and wet. However, the sites were worth the trek. Here are a few pictures from today.

This is the High Place at Dan. It was established by Jeroboam. In the midst of the metal frame is where the sacrifices were offered. Up the steps and to the right, the platform was the location of their “Holy of Holies.” (1 Kings 12:28-29)

After a long trek, we made it to Abraham’s Gate. It is where Abraham pursued the enemy to rescue his nephew, Lot. (Gen. 14:14)

This is a picture of Caesarea Philippi. If you look in the back, you will see a cave where sacrifices were offered to the god, Pan. This is also the location of Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-28; Mark 8:27-29).

This structure is called Nimrod’s Fortress. It was built in the 12th century by crusaders. Behind the peak of the fortress, you will see the clouds rolling in. I made it to the peak, but not before i was engulfed by the clouds.

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Posted by Pastor Chas on March 2, 2019 in Israel 2019

2nd Day in Israel

01 Mar

The hardest part of these posts is choosing which pictures to select. Needless to say, there are many more pictures than what I am able to post on the blog. I have only completed two days in Israel, but even if it ended today these 48 hours have been the trip of a lifetime!

This is a boat that was found from the 1st century. This boat was the type in which Jesus and his disciples traveled.

Boats like this one take people out on the Sea of Galilee. It was an amazing ride! The imagination is overwhelmed in picturing the events that took place here.

David and I riding on a boat on the Sea of Galilee.

This dish is called St. Peter’s Fish. It was delicious! Yes, looks might be deceiving.

A visit to the town where Jesus carried out a large portion of his ministry.

Under this church is the remains of Peter’s house in Capernaum.

There are so many more pictures and things that could be shared. The rich history and the Scripture that accompanies the locations is an enormous amount if information to process.