Sea of Galilee~Capernaum~Day 6

Welcome to Capernaum, a gorgeous, BUSTLING port town in Biblical times. I feel I should tell you that we did NOT visit these towns in the order they were mentioned in the Bible. Even so, Capernaum was mentioned over and over in the Gospels! This was the town in Galilee that Jesus claimed as His own (Matt 9: 1, Mark 4: 13)! This was Simon Peter's hometown! This is a town where miracle upon miracle happened! There is NO WAY I could even hint toward all of them!

THIS is where Jesus began the preaching aspect of His ministry (Mark 1: 21-28)!
THIS is where he healed the paralytic (Mark 2: 1-17)!
THIS is ALSO the town that was harshly reprimanded for not repenting (Matt 11: 23,24).

Ladies and gentlemen, I need to take a short interlude to present to you, the HIREX. I didn't know whether to be afraid, or oogle over this thing, so I chose to be afraid. Later in our trip, we happened upon dozens of these things climbing trees with monkey-like agility, dangling from the smallest of small limbs at the tip top of trees. I STILL do not know what family of beings this furry rodent looking cutie pie belongs to, but here he is:

Below is the Temple in Capernaum:

"They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!' 'Be quiet!' said Jesus sternly. 'Come out of him!' The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were so amazed that they asked each other, 'What is this? A new teaching-and with authority! He even gives orders to the evil spirits and they obey him.' Mark 1: 21-28"

THIS is where that happened!

This is another entrance to the Temple.

"As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went up to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Mark 1: 29-31"

THIS is where that happened!

There is now a church built over the top of the ruins of Peter's house, but true to Israeli form, they have preserved the integrity of the Biblical artifacts.

Here are more ruins of Capernaum. This is right next door to Peter's house.

Here is a wine press.

An olive press~evidence that this town had it goin' on!

This must have been a simply fantastic town! The details of the ruins are ornate and beautiful! No wonder there was a huge draw to Capernaum! Just like Caesarea, God set His ministry up where all the action would have been happening! Word travels quickly when your headquarters is a busy trade route or town!

I could go on and on about Capernaum, but you'll just have to read it for yourself!

Next (and hopefully final) stop in Galilee:
Kursy (ie. Gergessa or Land of the Gadarenes)
"Fish Restaurant" (yes, that IS the name of the restaurant)
Yardenit~the modern day baptism on the Jordan spot