18. Hike the Bible – Jesus at the Sea of Galilee

Posted by: BibleScienceGuy | August 15, 2012

18. Hike the Bible – Jesus at the Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee in 2008

Our virtual hike through Galilee has reached one of the most famous bodies of water in the whole world, the Sea of Galilee in northeastern Israel.

Much of Jesus’ ministry was focused around the Sea of Galilee. His home base was Capernaum (Matthew 4:13) on the northern shore. He held many teaching sessions and performed many miracles near the Sea of Galilee.

At least 5 of His 12 apostles came from around the sea. Andrew, Peter, James, and John were fisherman that He drafted at the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11). Bethsaida (house of fishing) on the northern shore was the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44). The first human witness of the Resurrection and a faithful disciple throughout His ministry was Mary Magdalene, presumably from Magdala on the western shore.

Miracles at the Sea of Galilee
Jesus performed many miracles near the Sea of Galilee, including some of His most amazing and famous miracles.

– Double Boatload of Fish (Luke 5:1-11)
After having caught nothing throughout a long night of hard work, Simon Peter was somewhat skeptical about trying again. Despite his judgement as an experienced fisherman that conditions were not good for fishing, he obeyed and caught so many fish that the nets began to break. Peter called James and John to bring their boat to help, and the boats were filled with so many fish that both boats began to sink.

This was undoubtedly the greatest day of their fishing career so far. As veteran fishermen, these men knew such a catch was no accident. This miracle once again revealed to them that Jesus was Lord over nature, just as they had seen earlier in His turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana. Peter, James, and John (and probably Andrew) were so astonished and impressed by this miracle that they left their fishing business for good and followed Jesus.

This huge catch of fish was a picture of the very much larger “catch of men” that would result from their witness to Jesus.

– Stilling the Storm (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25)
This storm was so severe that the disciples, veteran sailors though they were, were in fear of their lives as the boat was about to sink. Yet Jesus calmed the winds and waves instantly with a word, “Hush, be still.” His disciples said, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Indeed, who but God can control the weather and forces of nature?

Jesus demonstrated Himself to be Lord of the Sea by this miracle. His disciples were the only witnesses of this miracle. Its purpose was to further clarify for them who He was.

Interestingly, Jesus was asleep in the storm and had to be awakened by His disciples. Their terror was quite understandable, yet Jesus found it inexplicable, for He chided them, “Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?” Despite their extreme predicament, He expected them to demonstrate faith, not fear.

Jesus’ deep sleep in the midst of such a horrific storm shows how much He needed physical rest at this point. His body was a true human body, subject to needs of rest, shelter, food, and water, just like those of other humans.

The next post will discuss two more miracles at the Sea of Galilee.

Soli Deo Gloria.

The Hike the Bible series is currently covering points of interest along two hiking trails through Galilee, the 40-mile Jesus Trail and the 39-mile Gospel Trail. These two trails re-create possible routes Jesus likely traversed during His sojourns in Galilee.

Read the sequel:
19. Hike the Bible – Jesus at the Sea of Galilee 2

©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3)
Wednesday August 15, 2012 A.D.

Read my July 2012 newspaper column:
Friday the 13th

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)