Sea of Galilee - Respite for the Soul

 



Sea of Galilee also called Kinneret because of its lyre
shaped boundaries resembling the ancient musical instrument played by David and the Levites.
Fresh water from the Jordan River flows into this sea.
For centuries fishermen built their lives around its
resources and others came to the area in hopes its
shoreline sulpheric springs would heal their maladies.

  


"Let us go over to the other side of the lake." Luke 8:22

We sailed the Sea of Galilee for less than two hours and our souls found strength.

The Sea itself is much larger than I ever imagined. So are the events that occurred there.

As we sailed, I allowed the waves to retell a few of the stories of the three short years of Jesus' ministry in this place.

I envisioned a boat filled with disciples (the fishers of men) and one sleeping Jesus in the bow, and how the wind and waves plummeted their lives until His words brought peace.
 

I scanned the shores where once small villages like Nazareth, Capernaum, Tiberias, and Bethsaida now flourish on the east, many according to prophecy.


I shuddered at the realization of the plight of the Gadarene living near the desolate mountains of Moab on the west and rejoiced in the freedom he experienced.


I cherished the thought of a fishing net so abundant the disciples of Jesus needed one another's assistance to bring the spoil to shore.


And, I imagined stepping out of that boat like Peter and experiencing the thrill...and the sinking fear...and then saving grace in spite of his unstable faith.  


I realized these are all recurring stories in my life; His Story repeating itself like the unending waves of the Gaililean Sea. 


 I can understand how the waves and music of this oasis in the middle of a barren land became a place of rest for Jesus and am grateful that in the midst of the storm He simply says, "Peace, be still."