On a scorching hot day in July, I visited two places that are of great importance to human history, both in the area of the Sea of Galilee. First, Capernaum -- a place that at the time of Jesus's life was a small settlement with no more than a thousand people. Since the village was located on the seashore, the main trade of local husbands was fishing. The coast along Capernaum attracted foreign merchants who brought their goods to Capernaum and the surrounding settlements for sale. Therefore, there were many who were called tax collectors. Among them was Levi, and when Jesus saw him, he was called to follow Him. Leaving everything behind, he followed Christ and was then known as the apostle and evangelist Matthew.
And not far from the synagogue are ruins of an old church which in the 1980s, was reconstructed by an Italian architect into a Catholic church. It is said that it was built on the site of the former house of the Apostle Peter, in which the miracle of healing his mother-in-law from fever took place.
The gardens of the area were a pleasure to visit. They were well kept and offered a tranquil view of the ancient surroundings. The Galilee Sea is the lowest (by elevation) fresh water body of water in the world.
A warm breeze picked up then turned into a heavy wind. It felt like wind from a desert (see video below)
I then ventured over to Tabgha which is just a short distance away. This is where a key miracle of the New Testament took place when Jesus fed five thousand people with loaves of bread:
"When Jesus went out, he saw a multitude of people, and took pity on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and began to teach them a lot. And as much time has passed, the disciples, having begun to do so, say, "The place is deserted, but there is already a lot of time," let them go, so that they go to the surrounding villages and buy bread for themselves, for they have nothing to eat. He answered them, "Give them something to eat." And they said unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii of corn, and let them eat? But He asked them, "How much bread do you have?" Go take a look. When they found out, they said, "Five loaves of bread and two fish." Then he commanded them to sit all in compartments on the green grass. And they sat down in rows, a hundred and fifty. He took five loaves of bread and two fishes, and looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to distribute to them; And he divided the two fish into all. And they ate everything, and they were satisfied. And they collected pieces of bread and the remains of fish twelve full boxes. There were about five thousand men who ate (Mk 6:34-44)."
