The following morning we arose early to visit the site where the most powerful and influential oration of human history was given. We arrived at beautiful Basilica Church perched over the Sea of Galilee which is believed to be the site of the Sermon on the Mount. As we read through sections of the great Constitution of Heaven, Avi began to add special emphasis on the verse "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven," (Matthew 5:14,16). Avi reminded us that as Americans these verses hold special significance to us . Our nation was founded by men who were seeking to establish a more just and moral society then what they had witnessed. They also understood Christianity to be the underpinnings of such a society. These verses were very much a part of the early American ethos.
As I sat in the Church pondering the sublimity and Providentiality of the moment the Holy Spirit began to breathe upon the verse, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God," (Matthew 5:9). I felt gripped with destiny and purpose as I pondered the significance of this moment in time. Here I was sitting at the place where the Son of God called for peacemakers in the land most in need of them. I was sitting as an American, as one who has the ability and influence to bring peace between Israeli's and Arabs, pondering the greatness God has for my generation.
Our next stop was another punch full of Divine glory. We stood in the place where the Father of glory revealed the Messianic and Divine identity of His Son to Peter. We were in the very place that since the time of Alexander the great had been held under the bondage of deep darkness. Idolatry, sexual immorality, sorcery, and drunkenness raged here and the people were held captive in fear and anxiety by the Greek god of fear. However, around 31 AD the Messiah showed up on the scene with an agenda of glory and transformation. Not long after His disciples learned of His true identity He took James, John, and Peter up onto a mountain and revealed a portion of His glory to them. Moses and Elijah showed up signify that in Christ Jesus the Law (Moses) and Prophecy (Elijah) are brought together.
To finish this day off we arrived in Caparnaum, a place where sick people came to be healed from hot springs. Since the Messiah came to heal the sick He naturally gravitated toward this place and performed many signs and wonders. We also got to first hand experience and see the place where one of the first house Church's, the house of Peter, existed. The ruins have been preserved and a Church has been built there dedicated to the preservation of this site.
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