Christian Tourists Flock to the Sea of Galilee

Tourism is a big part of Israel’s economy. And much of that is Christian tourism: mostly bus tours of Americans visiting sights from Jesus’ three-year ministry–places they’ve imagined since their childhood Sunday school classes.

While Jesus was born in Bethlehem, to the south near Jerusalem, he grew up in the north in Nazareth, near the Sea of Galilee. Since the Jordan River dumps into the north end of the lake, that’s where there’s the most oxygen in the water and consequently the most fish. In that area, around Capernaum, is where the major population centers were and, of course, the most fishermen. This is where Jesus assembled his band of disciples, turning fishers of fish into fishers of men.

On the shore of Galilee, at Kibbutz Ginosar, there’s an impressive little lakeside museum containing the recently excavated scant remains of “the Jesus Boat”–a typical fisherman’s boat from the first century A.D.

The Sea of Galilee–700 feet below sea level, fed and drained by the Jordan River, and 13 miles long by 8 miles wide–is Israel’s top source of water. It’s also a popular tourist destination for Israelis and Christian tourists, and home to lots of fish.

This tourist map shows all the stops Christian tour groups can make to see where famous and beloved stories and lessons from the Bible took place.
This tourist map shows all the stops Christian tour groups can make to see where famous and beloved stories and lessons from the Bible took place.

Christian tour groups from all over the world make a vacation pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While Jerusalem is the major stop, they generally make a quick visit to Bethlehem (in the West Bank), and loop through the north to stop at several sights near the Sea of Galilee.
Christian tour groups from all over the world make a vacation pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While Jerusalem is the major stop, they generally make a quick visit to Bethlehem (in the West Bank), and loop through the north to stop at several sights near the Sea of Galilee.

As a Christian, gazing out over the fabled Sea of Galilee and imagining Jesus walking on the water, I became more emotional than I had imagined I would be. Closing my eyes, I let the song of pilgrim groups singing in the distance, the sound of the little waves at my feet, and the breeze off the lake come together in a touching, personal moment.
As a Christian, gazing out over the fabled Sea of Galilee and imagining Jesus walking on the water, I became more emotional than I had imagined I would be. Closing my eyes, I let the song of pilgrim groups singing in the distance, the sound of the little waves at my feet, and the breeze off the lake come together in a touching, personal moment.

At the altar of a new church, built atop the ruins and mosaics of a fifth-century church, is the rock upon which--according to tradition--Jesus laid the five loaves and two fish that managed to feed a gathering of 5,000.
At the altar of a new church, built atop the ruins and mosaics of a fifth-century church, is the rock upon which–according to tradition–Jesus laid the five loaves and two fish that managed to feed a gathering of 5,000.

The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is especially important for Catholic pilgrims. Delightfully set on the Sea of Galilee, it’s built upon the rock where, tradition holds, the resurrected Jesus ate with his disciples and told Peter to “feed my sheep.” That is one reason why the Roman Catholic Church believes in the primacy of St. Peter.
The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is especially important for Catholic pilgrims. Delightfully set on the Sea of Galilee, it’s built upon the rock where, tradition holds, the resurrected Jesus ate with his disciples and told Peter to “feed my sheep.” That is one reason why the Roman Catholic Church believes in the primacy of St. Peter.

At each Christian pilgrimage site, our Jewish guide Benny read with passion passages from the Bible. I found the scriptures talking about the Sermon on the Mount, feeding the masses with a few fish and loaves, Jesus calming the water, and the Beatitudes (“blessed are the meek,” and so on) particularly impactful here on the sites where those events occurred.
At each Christian pilgrimage site, our Jewish guide Benny read with passion passages from the Bible. I found the scriptures talking about the Sermon on the Mount, feeding the masses with a few fish and loaves, Jesus calming the water, and the Beatitudes (“blessed are the meek,” and so on) particularly impactful here on the sites where those events occurred.

From the Sea of Galilee (700 feet below sea level), the Jordan River flows south watering the fertile and strategic Jordan Valley, until it reaches the Dead Sea (about 1,300 feet below sea level). According to tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus where the Jordan leaves the Sea of Galilee. Today, many Christians flock to this spot to be baptized or re-baptized. I found this sight the most lively...but the least spiritual.
From the Sea of Galilee (700 feet below sea level), the Jordan River flows south watering the fertile and strategic Jordan Valley, until it reaches the Dead Sea (about 1,400 feet below sea level). According to tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus where the Jordan leaves the Sea of Galilee. Today, many Christians flock to this spot to be baptized or re-baptized. I found this sight the most lively…but the least spiritual.
Comments

9 Replies to “Christian Tourists Flock to the Sea of Galilee”

  1. I was also unexpectedly moved by my experiences in Israel. I found Galilee to be one of the more spiritual locations.

    If I may offer a slight correction to your final caption, the Gospel of John puts the location of Jesus baptism farther South, near Jerusalem. Our Israeli tour guide explained to us (and it became evident as we drove along the Jordan to the Dead Sea) that the reason Christians are getting baptized near the Sea of Galilee is because that’s the about the place on the Jordan where there is enough water left to do baptisms. Due to heavy water use, the Jordan becomes only a few feet deep not far south of there.

    Enjoy the rest of your pilgrimage.

  2. I was there and baptized 1 week ago with no-one there except us and it is the most emotional and spiritual experience even if it wasn’t the exact spot, but it is the same river!

  3. Unfortunately, most Holy Land travelers will never have an opportunity to visit many religious sites because Israel makes travel within the West Bank so difficult. Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem is open only to Jews. Travel to Abraham’s Tomb in Hebron is severley restricted. Almost no traveler can access the site of Jesus’ leper healing in Berquin. Travel to Church of Nativity in Bethlehem is possible but tightly controlled; however, it’s difficult to get to Shepher’s Field in nearby Beit Sahour. US Christians are rarely allowed by Israel to visit the Christian communities in the West Bank.

  4. In the Church of the Loaves and Fishes there is a connection with your trip to Egypt: a mosaic in the floor includes a Nile-meter (used along the Nile to measure the spring floods each year). Perhaps an Egyptian artist helped with the mosaics. Arnie

  5. In regards to Esther’s comment. I am a US Christian. There may be many areas of the West Bank that are difficult to reach, but our group stayed at the Guest House at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem for four nights. We were able to walk to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity from there. We were not restricted in our movement around Bethlehem. The restriction came in getting through the checkpoint at the separation wall. We also visited Shepherd’s Field and other sights in the area. Our tour guide was a Palestinian Christian. My understanding is that Israeli guides cannot take groups to Bethlehem.

  6. My wife and I have taken 13 European trips using your books. We have just returned from 2 weeks in Israel and Jordan, and so we’re really enjoying your blogs about Israel. As fellow Christians, we are so appreciative of how respectfully you always treat Chrisitianity in your books and blogs. Thanks for how you have enriched our lives through travel information and guidance.

  7. My wife and i just returned from 2 weeks in Israel and I had some observations. We are Jewish but were very glad to have the chance to visit Jewish , Christian and Moslem sites.
    We felt great spirituality in many areas but some were disappointing. I disagree with your assessment of the Jordan River baptising. The people that came for this ceremony were singing , happy and obviously moved and there didn’t seem to be the sense of urgency to to “own” a site as we felt in other areas.
    The Church of The Nativity in Bethlehem couldn’t have been more impressive but there was no crowd control at all and poeple we shoving and trying to get ahead of those already in line. And then when it came time to be at the 14 point star identified as the birthplace of Jesus , people tried to stay there a long time despite the many people that wanted to experience the site and even tried to sneak in a back way as if their considerations were the most important.
    The battles over control of various areas of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre also seemed very unnecessary. There were many other sites where people did have the chance to experience the spirituality of the country and those were powerful regardless of my religion.
    It is a wonderful country and we met many wonderful people.

  8. “Unfortunately, most Holy Land travelers will never have an opportunity to visit many religious sites because Israel makes travel within the West Bank so difficult.”

    I guess Israel got tired of being bombed. During fighting about 10 years ago Palestinian fighters holed up in the Church of the Nativity. It is the Palestinians who make travel difficult. If you don’t believe me, try going to Gaza.

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