Descending down the hillside on the winding road between the towns of Magdala and Tiberias in our tour bus the Sea of Galilee came into view. At thirteen miles long and eight miles across, we were surprised to find it to be about the size of the lake in the city where we live. Not at all the ocean I think most of us imagine when reading about Jesus walking on water. But being a relatively shallow body of water and sitting far below sea level in a valley surrounded by steep hills to the east, the topography lends itself to vast temperature and pressure changes that can brew the perfect storm.
So on that night when the disciples were out in their boat, it is possible this seemingly serene “lake” saw waves as high as 10 feet. No wonder they were terrified; it is a wonder their small wooden boat was not shredded to pieces.
The 2000 year old boat discovered in the Sea of Galilee.
On our own boat in the middle of the Sea one dark evening, we talked about this story in Mark 6 and the storms in our own lives when we have felt abandoned by God. But Jesus hadn’t left the disciples. I can picture it now– him standing on the hillside watching over them and then at just the right time, coming down, walking out on the water and commanding the waves to cease.
Throughout our time in Israel, as we walked the places of Jesus’ ministry learning about the political and cultural climate of the day, seeing the geographical landscape and gaining insight from Hebrew words, Scripture became more alive.
- An easterly wind.
- Enemies coming from the North.
- The valley of hell outside the city.
- Going up to the temple.
- Missionary journeys going out from Caesarea on the Mediterranean.
- Why Paul spoke out so strongly against there being no separation between Jew or Greek, male or female, slave nor free.
- “Can anything good from Nazareth?”
- The rocky path in the parable of the sower.
- A two-edged sword.
- The olive press.
- The extravagance of deep purple.
- The gates of hell.
There is so much we skim right on by without realizing the significance or considering context. This is why I see the true gift of the Holy Land not as a one-time spiritual experience, but gaining new eyes for reading God’s Word. While not everyone can go to Israel, I share this hoping to inspire all of us to slow down to study and meditate over God’s Word.
In the book of John we learn the Word made flesh is Jesus, also known as the Bread of Life. It is meant to sustain us just as the manna/bread sustained the Israelites. But that won’t happen if we are only nibbling off a verse here and there. To be well-nourished — for God’s Word to be life-giving — we need to read it in context and through the lens of Christ.
With the New Year coming now is the perfect time to think through a Bible-reading plan or find a Christ-centered Bible study rooted in Scripture. If you need suggestions let me know, and I’ll also share some in my next newsletter (you can subscribe on my homepage).
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That night we were out on the sea, as our boat turned back to port I was struck by the city of Tiberias. It sits up on a hill, and against the dark night was glistening.
“… A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.(Matthew 5:14)”
As I stared at that city, I understood. It could not be missed. It brought light to darkness, just as we are called to be light unto this dark world.
May we be Book people, so captivated by the work and worth of Christ as revealed in His Word that in and through us the glory of God cannot be missed.
