Good morning from Israel! Our virtual tour continues in the area of the Sea of Galilee. The scenery is some of the most beautiful in the world. The backdrop of the Golan Heights, the different shades of blue, grey and green that make up this picturesque body of water, and the intense history that surrounds the lake, makes this place one of the great historic wonders of the world.
The area around the Sea of Galilee is known in Christian circles as the “home away from home” of Jesus of Nazareth. He spent the last three years of his life teaching crowds, healing the sick and creating a following of Jewish disciples in towns along the northern Galilee shoreline.
“Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.” Luke 8:1-3
An aerial view of the ancient city of Magdala on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (wikipedia.com)
The Sea of Galilee has been referred to by many names. It was called the Lake of Tiberias, named after the town of Tiberias, built by Herod Antipas after the death of his father, Herod the Great. Its Jewish name from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) was Sea of Chinnereth, and later it was called the Lake of Gennesaret. Modern day Israel refers to it simply as, the Kinneret. But whatever name one decides to place on this tiny harp-shaped body of water, rest assured the events that took place in and around it were life-changing for the people who experienced them throughout the generations.
Today’s stop takes us to Magdala, once a beautiful Jewish town along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. This was the home of Mary Magdalene, a faithful follower of Jesus throughout his ministry. Unfortunately, the town was severely damaged, not too many years after the time of Jesus, during the beginnings of the Great Revolt (66-73 CE). The historian, Josephus reported that “the sea was bloody a long way, and the maritime parts were full of dead bodies.” The town lay in ruins until archaeologists began excavating some 2000 years later.
Parts of the mosaic floor in the synagogue unearthed in Magdala. (travelingthruthebibleshow.com)
In 2009, a synagogue (Beit Knesset) was found dating to the Second Temple period, from the first century and the time of Jesus. This means that Jesus most likely taught in this synagogue during his three-year ministry in the Galilee! As a matter of fact, a coin was found inside the synagogue that was minted in Tiberias in 29 CE, proving this to be the oldest excavated synagogue in the Galilee.
It might be surprising to know that during the time of the Second Temple, there were synagogues dotting the landscape of the Holy Land. It appears to have been a uniquely Jewish creation whose function was a place of assembly; like a community centre for Torah study, hospitality, charity, and a place of general meeting. The word “Beit Knesset” actually means, “House of Assembly.” When the Temple was destroyed in 70CE, though, the synagogue took on a whole new dimension; it also became a house of prayer. The early synagogues were the first buildings representing monotheistic space where people worshipped without idols. They were, more than likely, the prototype for the Christian Church and later the Moslem Mosque. During the Byzantine era, churches were built very similarly to synagogues in their architecture.
The Magdala Stone found in archaeological diggings on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (magdala.org)
Besides the find of the ancient coin in the synagogue, one of the most significant finds in all of Israel was found there as well, the Magdala Stone. It is rectangular in shape and has four long sides and two short sides. Made of limestone, this stone holds clues that help establish a more complete picture of the Temple in Jerusalem in the first century.
The front of the stone depicts the oldest carved image of the Second Temple’s seven-branched menorah ever found. If you remember when we were in the underground Herodian Quarter in Old City Jerusalem, we saw another depiction of the seven-branched menorah used as a home decoration. How incredible it must have been for those two artists who saw the real thing first-hand!
The long side of the Magdala Stone depicts the side of a building with pillared archways, with a three-dimensional design, creating the illusion of appearing inside the Temple. The back of the stone depicts a pillared structure with two wheels above a geometric shape, illustrating fire, likely depicting the Holy of Holies. The stone is covered in decorative symbols relating to the structure of the Temple and ceremonial Jewish objects that continue to help historians and theologians understand ancient Judaism.
A small chapel area in the new Christian Women’s Conference Center. (holylandphotos.wordpress.com)
Today, in Magdala, a Christian Conference Center, designed especially for women, is being built alongside the 2,000-year-old ruins of the ancient Jewish fishing town. There is already a beautiful chapel, with a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee, located near the shore. Every section of the church is designed to honour different women mentioned in the Bible. If we were to wander down the steps to the lower level basement of the chapel, we would be standing in front of a mural that is awe-inspiring. It is one of the few, if not the only, Christian scenes located inside a church that really represents the Jewish perspective. We see a crowd of men and women. They are visible only from the knees down. Their sandals are worn and their feet soiled from the dirt. We can see the prayer shawls of the men dangling to the sides of their garments. And suddenly, we see the finger of a woman touching the hem of the garment of the central figure, and the power of God released.
“While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him. A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any, approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped. “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.” When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:42-48
This is a powerful story of healing and hope. Magdala represents faith, hope and restoration. It is my hope that as you learn about the people and places of Israel, you will be inspired to visit Israel and become a part of the story.
Until next week,
Shalom from Israel
