Part 2 - The Boats of Galilee

March 16 - After Nazareth, we stopped at Ginosar on the Sea of Galilee to see the "Jesus Boat."  The modern Kibbutz Ginosar is named after biblical town of Genesareth.  In 1986, a severe drought in Israel caused the waters of the sea to recede and revealed a 2,000 year old boat which had been at the bottom.  The boat was carefully removed and is on display at the the kibbutz.  It is a typical fishing boat from that era, one that Peter or John might have owned.  It is about 30' long and 8' wide.  The model below explained how Jesus fell asleep in a cushion in the back part of the boat. 

Mark 4:35   "And the same day, when even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side...........  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

It has always fascinated me that Jesus chose the core of his apostles, those who would carry His message to the world, from rough and uneducated fisherman.  By contrast, the Jewish priesthood was hereditary, learned, and quite privileged.  But the Lord sees into the heart.  We also read that He entrusted the care of His beloved Son to Joseph and Mary, a poor couple from a humble village with a dark reputation.  Truly, His thoughts are not our thoughts.

After the crucifixion, the disciples were depressed so they headed back to home, to Capernaum, and went fishing.  Jesus spoke to them from the shore, but they didn't realize who he was.  They had toiled all night and caught nothing, and he told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat.  This time, the net was so heavy with fish, they could hardly haul it in.  John immediately realized it was the Lord.  Why?  He had peformed the same miracle on the day He first called them to follow him.

Luke 5:4   "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink..............  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."