You have heard that it was said...

Today's first site site was Capernaum, Jesus' adapted hometown.

This is the site, based on archeological evidence, that was the house of Peter's mother-in-law, whom Jesus healed.  The black on the top of the picture is the church built on top.

While we were here, we learned about the educational system during Jesus' time.

 Both boys and girls went to school from four years old until they were twelve.  Girls would memorize Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Psalms.  Boys would memorize the entire Torah.  It puts me to shame to think how little of God's word I have committed to memory.

After age 13, girls would stay home and prepare of marriage, but boys would continue to memorize the rest of the Old Testament.  Once a boy turned 15, he would start a career (usually that of his father) or he would be invited to follow a rabbi.   Only the best of the best would have been chosen to follow a rabbi.  Being asked to follow a rabbi is like being asked to join the NBA - it was a big deal.  Boys would stay with their rabbi until they were around 30 and then find students of their own.  The Bible doesn't touch on it, but Jesus may have studied under a rabbi before he began his ministry when he was 30.  Imagine being that rabbi!

There were two types of rabbis.  A teacher of the law could only teach what was commonly accepted in the community as truth.  Teachers with authority, however, could add their own ideas.  They would often use the phrasing, "You have heard that it was said...but I tell you that..."  Sound familiar?  Jesus was a teacher with authority.  

This is the wall of the synagogue.  The black bricks on the bottom are from the first century church.  Without a doubt, Jesus would have been there.

Every rabbi had a yoke, or summary of their teachings.  Jesus' was simple:  Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself.  This is what he refers to when he says that his yoke is light.

We often think of discipleship as gaining head knowledge, but discipleship is really about wanting to be like your rabbi.  Think about Peter walking on water.  He was being like his rabbi.  What as wrong with the other 11 who stayed in the boat?

Disciples were expected to do four things. 1) Know scripture 2) Build fences around the Torah 3) Be just like the rabbi 4) Make more disciples

How am I doing on these things?

Jesus once again turns tradition upside down when he called twelve young men to be his disciples that weren't smart enough to be with another rabbi.  These young men he called were likely more like middle or high schoolers instead of the middle aged men we often depict them as.  It would fit with the traditions of time.   Some of the words that Jesus uses to refer to his disciples could be translated to mean adolescent or kid.  

Take away from Capernaum: Never live without a rabbi, never die without disciples.  Who's my rabbi?  How am I doing making disciples?

Our next stop was Dan.  This was the northern-most city in Israel.  The tribe of Dan moved here since they didn't like the land they were originally given.  From the pictures you can see why.  It's a beautiful spot.  But because they were so far north, they were also the first place conquered whenever the area was invaded.  Maybe it's a lesson about leaving something hard that God wants you to do and taking the easier way out.

This is a gate in Dan from Cannanite times.  Abraham would have passed this, if not entered it, on his way to rescue Lot.

Jeff in a bunker left by the Syrians years ago.

We could see both Syria and Lebanon.

After Dan, we hit Caesarea Phillipi.  The stuff that went on here was not good.  There was a large temple dedicated to Pan, the god of shepherds, goats, and flocks.  Let's just say their worship had a lot to do with fertility and goats.  I'll leave you wondering about the rest.  

The Bible records Jesus leaving Galilee and coming here - 26 miles.  This is where Jesus asks Peter who Peter thinks he is.  Jesus replies that on this rock he will build his church.  We often take that to mean Peter, but Jesus taught using what he saw around him.  He many have been pointing to the Pan temple.  On THIS rock, I will build my church.  Jesus was on the offense.  He wanted his disciples, and us, to go out to those evil places and claim them for Him.

Take away from Caesarea Phillipi:  I am not ashamed!

Our day ended with a climb up the Mount of Beatitudes and our final overview of the Sea of Galilee.  In our typical style, we up the back of the hill, avoiding the barbed wire.

Although no one knows for sure where on the mountain Jesus preached, we know he was there. Under a shade tree, we read the Sermon on the Mount together.  What powerful words!  I have so far to go to even come close to what Jesus was teaching.