Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Do You Love Me?

Jesus' four words at Tabgha offer you the motivation for your life.

What is the most important part of your relationship with God? Jesus asked Peter that question in four words beside the Sea of Galilee: “Do you love Me?”

(Photo: Tabgha harbor. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Seems like an easy question, doesn’t it? That’s what Peter thought.

After breakfast, as the day began to brighten, Jesus called Peter by the same name as when they had first met. “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15).

Easy question, right? Jesus could have taken Peter anywhere to ask this. But He took Him to Tabgha for a reason.

He takes you there for the same reason.

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Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Who You Should Compare Yourself To

A lesson at Tabgha frees you to follow Jesus as yourself.

Someone else’s stuff always seems better. Even their struggles seem better. Have you noticed? The temptation to compare yourself with somebody is hard to sidestep in the Christian life.

(Photo: Tabgha statue of Jesus and Peter. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

When Peter first met Jesus, the fisherman followed the Master out of a motive for glory and a prime seat in the kingdom of God. Peter wanted to be the “greatest” in comparison to others.

But after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, a single conversationÂ along the shores of the Sea of Galilee at Tabgha changed Peter’s whole frame of reference.

That conversation can also help you not compare yourself with the lives of others.

It can free you to follow Jesus as an individual.

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Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2014

3 Sea of Galilee Sites You’ll Pass But May Not See

The oldest name for the Sea of Galilee is “Chinnereth.” The name means, “harp,” and the lake likely took the name because of the shape of its perimeter.

(Photo: Tel Chinnereth beside the Sea of Galilee. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Driving around the northern side of Sea of Galilee causes the neck of most folks to turn back and forth a lot. There’s so much to see without ever leaving the vehicle! For example:

The Mount of Beatitudes tops a conspicuous slope. You can’t miss the chapel on top.
If Capernaum weren’t obvious because of its road sign, the throng of tour buses turning in would give it away.
The towering Mount Arbel orients every person to the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee.

But several other sites are less easy to see. That’s because they look like little more than a turn in the road, an inlet in the lake, or a gated-off sidewalk.

All 3 sites are worth tapping the brakes—and even worth the trouble of getting out and enjoying.

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Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2014

5 Must-See Christian Sites by the Sea of Galilee

To a Christian, the Sea of Galilee is synonymous with the ministry of Jesus. The hub of the Galilee region, the sea’s importance came from its fishing and its location along the great International Highway.

: (Photo: Sunset over the Sea of Galilee. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Jesus located His base of ministry in Capernaum. From that town He walked many miles with twelve disciples—most of whom hailed from the towns around the sea.

When Christian pilgrims come to Israel today, they almost all visit the Sea of Galilee. And for good reason. As in the days of Jesus, the large lake still has storms, beautiful sunrises, and sites that we will forever associate with the Lord’s ministry.

I’d like to show you five must-see Christian sites by the Sea of Galilee—and how each one may (or may not) connect to Jesus.

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Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2012

Starting Over with God

Sometimes we feel like we’ve blown it so bad that God should toss us aside and start over with somebody else. Whenever I feel that way, I travel in my mind to the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. To a place I’ve been many times.