November 26, 2007

Kendra Crandall

26 November 2007, Monday

What a day! I didn’t know it was possible to see and experience so much within such a short period of time. We started off with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Most of us walked around on the deck and chatted with friends as we cruised across the sea. Some people started singing hymns like “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” (#104) and “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy” (#335) as they sat facing the Sea of Galilee. Many of us were lost in our thoughts as we considered what great events took place on and around that very body of water.

Near the middle of the Sea, the boat stopped so we could have our class devotional in silence as we rocked with the waves. We talked about the accounts of Jesus calming the waters and walking on water. We learned that, even though it sounds like Jesus rebukes Peter for doubting, Jesus is actually encouraging Peter, telling him that he has the power to walk on the water, too. We sang “Master, the Tempest is Raging” (#105) and “I Believe in Christ” (#134). Particularly the last hymn brought back memories of our experience at Shepherd’s field a few weeks earlier.

At the other side of the Sea, we first saw The Ancient Boat (or the “Jesus Boat”) which was found in the sand during a drought year. We learned about the process by which excavators removed the boat from the sand and how it is preserved today. We then took a short bus ride over to the Mount of Beatitudes. From there we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee and recounted the beautiful Sermon on the Mount. One thing that I learned from the lecture was my personal duty to support the Twelve Apostles. Christ entreats them to take no thought for their material needs and to put themselves in God’s hands. The baptized members of the Church were also there, however, so they could learn that it’s their duty to take care of the Twelve’s temporal needs. So must we sustain our leaders in the Gospel today.

Our next stop was at Tabgha where we visited two churches, the Church of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy. Both churches were uniquely beautiful and we sang in each one. Lastly we went to Capernaum. There we saw the ruins of Peter’s house, which became the first Christian Church. Capernaum was an especially special place to visit because of its significance to Jesus. It is one of the places at which we can be positive that Jesus walked. Many of Jesus’ miracles took place in Capernaum, including the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead and His discourse on the Bread of Life.

After a day of adventures we were all tired. We arrived back at Ein Gev around 3:30. Most of us headed right for the beach where we chatted, studied, and watched a gorgeous sunset. Later that night I joined some buddies around the fire pit where we had lot of laughs – it was a great way to end an enlightening day.

One of my favorite New Testament passages is in Luke 10:38-42. This is when Jesus is in Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Martha is bustling about trying to be the best hostess she can while Mary simply sits at the Master’s feet and listens to Him. Jesus says that Mary has “chosen that good part” by stopping to listen and learn. I like this lesson because I originally think that Martha should be commended for her hard work and hospitality. As I try to discern why Jesus praises Mary for listening, I recognize a most valuable life lesson: there is a time to work and there is a time to listen. When we focus solely on working, we pass up opportunities to reflect and learn. I can apply this to listening to the Holy Ghost – the world is noisy and clutters our lives. If we do not take the time to stop and listen, we will miss opportunities to be instruments in the hand of our Lord.