In the Galilee

O Galilee, sweet Galilee, 
Where Jesus loved so much to be, 


O Galilee, blue Galilee, 
Come sing thy song again to me.

                       – Each Cooing Dove (Memories of Galilee) by H. R. Palmer

We spent two days in the Galilee.  The place we stayed was located on the northern shore; and our room, with a third-floor balcony, overlooked the peaceful water below.  I loved waking up each morning there and standing on the balcony in the cool breezes, seeing the usually calm waters just steps away.  It was in this area that Christ called His disciples, taught the Beatitudes, healed Peter’s mother, multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the multitude, and taught in the synagogue that prophecy was fulfilled in Him.  The site of the ancient city, Capernaum, was only about a mile down the beach as was the Mount of the Beatitudes.  It was surreal to be able to walk along the shores, to see fishermen casting their nets, and to walk through the ruins of places the Savior had undoubtedly spent much of his time during his ministry.  I thought of the story of Peter and his brethren which occurred after Christ was resurrected:

They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus

.

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:3-17)