The Cradle of the Gospel: Sea of Galilee

My husband and I have had the awesome privilege to travel to the Holy Land several times. It is hard to choose a favorite spot since each location has a particular Bible significance. But, of all the places we visited, the Sea of Galilee would have to be at the top of my list.

The size of this area, where Jesus spent two thirds of His earthly ministry, was surprisingly quite small. When standing on an overlooking hillside, you can see the entire shoreline of the sea (which is really more like the size of a small lake than that of a sea). ​So many things happened around and on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus preached in the synagogues, healed the sick, cast out demons, fed thousands, recruited His followers, preached on the hillside, walked on the water, calmed the sea, and ate on the shore with His disciples after His resurrection. ​​And for this reason it has been called the cradle of the Gospel.

What a privilege it would have been to walk, talk, hear, and see Jesus in the flesh! But the response to Jesus in Bible times was the same as it is today. After Jesus had fed the five thousand many followed Him. But, Jesus called them out by saying,

“Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” (John. 6:26) 

Then, when Jesus explained that He was the Bread of Life sent from the Father, many were offended.

“from that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.” (John 6:66)

The people in this area had no excuse because they had seen the many miracles and heard the words of Jesus day after day. Jesus even rebuked the cities around the Sea of Galilee where His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent (Matthew 11:20). They chose to reject Him as the Christ, the Messiah.  ​

​Unfortunately, many today want Jesus for what He can do for them physically, or emotionally, or financially. They are consumed in selfishness and materialism and want to just add Christ and His benefits to their present lifestyle – they want to be filled. When confronted with their spiritual void and their need for Christ alone, people are often offended. But they have no excuse because they can find the truth in God’s magnificent creation and in the completed Word of God. Many choose to reject Him as the Christ, their Savior.

We need to reevaluate our relationship with the Lord. Are we truly trusting in Him alone for our salvation or have we only added religion as one more dimension of our busy lives? There is a big difference in eating bread and accepting Jesus as our Bread of Life. Jesus is not about a religion but about a personal relationship. If He is our Savior, we should study the Gospels and walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee with Him as He presents Himself as the Savior of the world, which is the Good News of the Gospel.

I love thinking about all the things Jesus did in and around the Sea of Galilee. Especially the parts where He preached, healed, fed, recruited, walked, calmed, and ate with his followers and sinners alike. The Jesus that did all these things then is the same Jesus that does all these things today, maybe in just a little different way. He's not physically among us, but through His Word He still accomplishes these things in our lives. What has He done for you lately. Please share your story!