Reflection: The story behind finding Magdala is fascinating and the archaeological findings of the Magdala Stone and the temple are really interesting to see in person. The site was discovered while breaking ground on a hotel that was being built on the Sea of Galilee. They managed to change the plans for the hotel and preserve the archaeological site.

The Catholic church that was built on the site looking out over the Sea of Galilee is a great place for prayer and worship and is very beautiful inside.

Prayer: That we would believe in the healing power of God/Jesus and become faithful followers of Him like Mary Magdalene.

Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene, was a prosperous fishing village at the time Jesus was active in this region. It was fortified and severely damaged during the great revolt against the Romans. The archaeologists uncovered the remains of the village dating from the time of Jesus, and a large Byzantine monastery. (Source: Biblewalks.com)

Mark 16:9-10 – ” 9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.  “

Luke 8:1-3 – ” 1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. “

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Reflection: This is a beautiful overlook of the sea of Galilee and we would absolutely recommend visiting. Looking back, you can see so many of the meaningful sites that we would be visiting over the next couple of days (Capernaum, Magdala, Mt of Beatitudes, Golan Heights, Sea of Galilee, etc). For the most part though, we didn’t totally know where we were looking/what we were looking at. We would recommend (if you can) that you visit this site at the tail end of the Sea of Galilee sights to realize the full significance of the overlook.

It is mentioned frequently in the Bible that Jesus would retreat into the wilderness or on top of mountains to pray to God. It is easy to imagine Jesus praying from these very spots overlooking the cities and villages below.

Prayer: That we would appreciate the view of the places Jesus used to change the world. Understanding that these were not sprawling massive cities, but fairly small villages along the Sea of Galilee. Intentionally selected by God to change the world and ripple into eternity.

Overview: The Arbel Cliffs hang over the sea of Galilee, and its natural caves were used as shelters for rebels against Herod, fortress during the revolt against the Romans and was fortified again in later periods. The ruins of a Hellenistic, Roman and  Byzantine villages lie below the cliffs and on its south-western side. (Source: Biblewalks.com)

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Reflection: Megiddo is a “tel” which resembles a natural hill or mountain, but is actually a man-made and is the result of city after city being destroyed and a new city being built on top of the remnants. It is believed there are over 20 cities built on top of one another at Megiddo based on the archaeological evidence discovered thusfar. There is an overwhelming sense with each step you take that you are walking on top of more secrets yet to be uncovered.

The underground tunnel is particularly amazing as you walk through it. Because the inhabitants were fearful of attackers gaining access to their water source, they went to outrageous lengths to disguise the access point to the water. The pictures of the tunnel shown were hand chiseled into solid rock underground, which is mind blowing.

Prayer: That we embrace the process of destruction and rebuilding in our own lives, and that we are willing to go to great lengths to preserve and protect our faith (our life source) from outside invaders.

Overview: The popular archaeological park is located 30Km south east of Haifa, and is located at a strategic entrance through the eastern Carmel hills where an ancient trade road (Via Maris) links the North (and Assyria) and South (Egypt). In this site an important City once flourished  during the Canaanite and Israelite Kingdom periods, and mentioned in the Old Testament as a strong City that played an important role in the history of the Biblical Israel. It was abandoned   after the Persian times since the site was relocated in nearby locations. This left the foundations of the city virtually intact from the biblical times. (Source: Bible Walks)

Revelation 16 – It is believed that Megiddo is the location where God will fight His final battle against Satan on earth. ” And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon “

Judges 5 – “The kings came, they fought; then fought the kings of Canaan,at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; they got no spoils of silver. 20 From heaven the stars fought,from their courses they fought against Sisera. 21 The torrent Kishon swept them away,the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might!”

1 Kings 9 – Walls and gates built by King Solomon – “And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the Lord and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer “

2 Kings 23 – In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo, as soon as he saw him. And his servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.

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Reflection: The view from Mount Carmel is absolutely beautiful and gives you a great visual of the fertile valleys in the surrounding area. We really enjoyed this site and diving into the scripture on the prophet Elijah.

Prayer: Prayers that false prophets and idols would be destroyed like Elijah destroyed the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.

Overview: Keren-Carmel (“Horn of Carmel”) is a hill (474M) on the south-eastern side of mount Carmel. On the hill, covered with bush,  is a small Carmelite order church which commemorates the victory of prophet Elijah over the Baal prophets. In the front yard of the church is a remarkable statue of the Prophet Elijah slaughtering a Baal prophet, and on its terrace is a beautiful panorama. (Source: Bible Walks)

1 Kings 18: Elijah destroys the false prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel by challenging them to create fire. After Elijah taunts the false prophets of Baal who fail to bring fire, he douses his offering in water three times, so as to remove doubt that the fire will come from God. God brings down fire that consumes the entire offering and Elijah slaughters the false prophets of Baal.

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Reflections: Caesarea & Beth She’an are both distinctly Roman cities with tons of Roman architecture and artifacts. You can definitely sense that the building materials and techniques were vastly more sophisticated and expensive than some of the smaller cities we visited along the sea of Galilee. Even today among what is now ancient ruins, you can sense the grandeur of the city relative to the surrounding towns and villages and the dramatic scene that would have ensued as Paul made his case before the governor Felix and the Jewish accusers.

Prayer: That we would be bold in our proclamation of the Word like Peter, Paul and Philip in Caesarea.

Overview: Caesarea Maritima (“by the Sea”) is located on the shore in the center of Israel,  in the middle between Haifa and Tel-Aviv. It is the site of one of the most important cities in the Roman World, the Roman capital of the province of Judea at the time of Jesus, and a Crusader fortress along the road from Acre to Jerusalem.  Today, Caesarea is a large and interesting national park which and  a mandatory place to visit while exploring the Holy Land.

Acts 10 – The apostle Peter is called to Caesarea and preaches to the people there. While he is preaching the Holy Spirit descends upon the gentiles.

Acts 21 – Philip the evangelist takes up residence in Caesarea with his four daughters who were also prophets

Acts 23-25 – Paul makes his case before the Roman authorities and is detained for nearly two years under house arrest in the city.