A Visual Journey Through the Sacred Sites We Support 'Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the ground where you stand is holy'

---

Luke 4:29-30

'An inauspicious Beginning'

...they led him to the brow of the hill in order to throw him off the cliff...

This is how the words of Yeshua were received by those who knew him best in Nazareth. 

A horrible start to the three year period of time that would change the world forever and usher in the kingdom of G-d.

John 2: 1-11

'It Begins'

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.  Jesus' mother was there... His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'  Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servant, 'Filll the jars with water, so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, Now draw some out oand take it to the master of the banquet.' ...Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink, but you have saved the best till now'.

 'Righteousness Wins'

Herod Antipas is building this city. It is his  regional capital of Galilee. Minimally known to us but very well known to Yeshua and his family. Located just a 40 minute walk from Nazareth, this is a bustling under construction city being built from the ground up during the time of Yeshua's youth. Here the righteous ones of Yeshua's family intersect with the unrighteous in the house of Herod.  In a few short years Antipas will kill the Baptizer and around 30CE will partially preside over the trial and death sentence of Yeshua. 

Yet,  from the time Yeshua's family returns from Egypt until 18CE it is very likely Joseph found work here and brought Jesus and his other sons to work here to support the family. 

Here you clearly see Nazareth and the first miracle village of Khirbet Qana (Cana). Here is the oldest version of the home of Yeshua's mother's family.  

Here is the path from Nazareth to Mt. Arbel and the Sea of Galilee.  

Here you see the clearest juxtaposition of followers of Yeshua interacting with followers of rabbinic Judaism in the 2nd and 3rd century CE.  By 320-CE followers of Yeshua control city affairs. 

'Gateway of the King'

Yeshua walks by this 1st CE synagogue in route to Magdela.  The Jewish Hasmonaeans started settling this imposing strategically important high place in circa 180sBCE.

He encounters ancient Magdela immediately on the other side of this valley.

 'Come & Drink'

A small hidden little spring bubbles from the base of Mt. Nitai along the path of Wadi Hamam. This is the only precise location that we can say it is highly likely Yeshua himself drank from as he was finishing his 14 mile walk from Nazareth into the Sea of Galilee region.  This site is highly accessible and should be on every pilgrim schedule. 

 Settled in the Hasmonian period circa 150BCE.  A small ancient village and its synagogue, grinding stones and small stone houses that Yeshua certainly walked by on his way into the Sea of Galilee shore. This is literally one of the most authentic 1CE village settings existing in Galilee and we  know Yeshua walked within 150 yards of this village. 

'Peace be still'

Here he sleeps in the midst of a deadly storm. 

Here he quiets a storm with a word. Here he walks on its surface waters.  

Here he calls Peter to come to him and Peter for a short time walks on its surface.

Here is the source of sustenance for all the disciples and their families. 

Breath takingly beautiful.

Ministry home of Yeshua.

11 disciples live here.

80% of the gospel narrative of Jesus takes place in Galilee.

'Gateway to the Jews'

Home village of Yeshua.

Ground zero of Christianity.

15 miracles recorded here.

Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew all live here.  

Site of only 1CE harbor that is being conserved and restored touched by Jesus.

 'Belief is Near'

'IF the miracles you saw were performed in Tyre & Sidon they would have repented long ago.'

But, redemption and belief are near.  The very Path of Belief of Matthew 16 that passes by Korazim leads to Caesarea Philippi. 

Just a few miles north Peter receives the revelation that Yeshua is not only a great prophet but Messiah.

'The Blind See'

First identified by Mendell Nunn, now under excavation by Drs Motti Aviam and Stephen Notley, the last unknown village of Jesus has been discovered. 

Pictured is the Church of the Apostles with apse likely built over the disciples Peter and Andrew's 1CE home.

Peter, Andrew and Philip are from here.

It may be possible that James and John bar Zebedee were originally from here before moving to Capernaum to fish.

Belief Triumphs Over Unbelief'

Some would suggest that this simple pilgrim path is more important than the ancient villages Yeshua ministered in. Why? Because on this path as it reached north to Caesarea Philippi, Matthew 16 occurs. This is the path of revelation and belief and, belief always triumphs over unbelief. When you visit Israel and these sites today you are in essence making that same declaration.  Belief always triumphs over unbelief.

Revelation & Belief

Who do you say I am?

Matthew 16 - You are the Christ ...

Here is the incredibly complex pagan setting of Panias (today's Banias) and at the outskirts of this location Jesus confronts the pantheon of paganism - with Himself.

From here Matthew 17 soon follows, most likely on Mt. Hermon and the disciples see for the first time the unimaginable one who they are really dealing with.  

They Recognized Yeshua Immediately'

At this location Yeshua and his disciples are met with a man who has been cast out of his nearby village.  He is insane and unredeemable. Likely incredibly violent. In chains and naked living amongst tombs we only know him by the name - 'legion', for this is what controlled him.  

He may have been insane but the demons controlling him were not.   When he saw Yeshua, he cried out and fell down before him, shouting, “What have you to do with me, Yeshua, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me, 

His deliverance by a word from Yeshua is basically unimaginable. The rest of his story is likely reflected in the archeology and historical record of ancient nearby Sussita.

The Prodigal Returns

One of the Decapolis cities, here lies a tremendous site of world heritage stature.

Likely home to the delivered demoniac of Kursi. previously described.

If so, site of first gentile convert.

Tremendous, but unexplained, transformational societal  change occurs here. 

From completely pagan to largely Christian. 

8 Churches found and its bishop attended the Council of Nicaea in May 325CE.  Highest concentration of churches ever found.  

Important 1CE Contextual Setting

The Essenes leave Jerusalem because of the Maccabees usurping the position of High Priest as well as King.  Extremely pious, this community was in many ways the benchmark for future ascetic settings, particularly the early monastic culture of Christianity.  Site of famous Dead Sea Scrolls.  This group's views most likely very closely matched the views of John the immerser.  This site is in use very near the Jericho Baptism site of John the Immerser.  

Matthew 3:13-17

'To fulfill all righteousness'

Baptism site of Yeshua by Yohanan the Immerser.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  ...

John 9:7

Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam. 

So the man went and washed and came home seeing...

 Yet something so astounding happened that it changed this pagan city to a literal city on a hill  that was righteous. Here the message of Yeshua came first to the Gentiles because one of their insane sons who had met Yeshua came home. The physical transformation of this village can only be experienced and understood by seeing it first hand. 

 Acts 21:23, 27, 26:32

Gateway to the Gentiles.

Herod the Great's pagan link to Rome on the Mediterranean.

Visit the prison cell where Paul spent two years before appealing to Rome.

"Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.  

See the stone inscribed with the name Pontius Pilate who lived and ruled from here from 26CE - 36CE.

Here the Roman Centurion Cornelius not only received the Apostle Peter but salvation and the Holy Spirit.

John 21

'I am the Resurrection.'

Incredibly important site.

Perhaps the location that Christianity takes its first step following resurrection appearance of Jesus here. 

'In the midst of the storm'

Waiting impatiently to be excavated, this site holds one of the most important finds in Galilee. Most likely constructed by Count Joseph of Tiberias in circa 320CE. This Prayer hall is functioning in central Tiberias simultaneously with the Sanhedrin.

'My Anchor Holds'

This almost unknown church must have served as the very important 'anchor' church overlooking all the small churches surrounding the Sea of Galilee.  Its exterior built into the city wall of Tiberias. Its apse is directly lined up overlooking its predecessor Messianic Prayer hall directly below in the heart of ancient Tiberias.  

Palace remains are faint and not well defined but a reminder that Antipas, who killed John the Immerser and co presided over the trial of Jesus, palace lies waste and just 40m away a new Messianic Prayer Hall is constructed by Count Joseph in the early 320's CE.

Ironic that the earliest known meeting floor of Christianity, recently found 1/2 km away at Othney, joins the final 'meeting floor of what we know as Armageddon at this location.  

'Belief Triumphs Over Unbelief'

View of 1/2 of Sea of Galilee shoreline looking west over the Plain of Ginosar.  Mt. Arbel and Mt. Nitai at center mark the entry path used by Jesus when entering the northern Sea of Galilee area.  This is the region where Jesus pulled back the curtain to the Kingdom of heaven.