Mount of Beatitudes

Mount of Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount, Sea of Galilee, Bible Teaching, Christ's Longest Sermon

See the famous location of the Mount of Beatitudes where Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount. Learn about the heart of what Christ was telling us and how it applies to us today.
Location
1. The Sea of Galilee is located in the northern part of Israel known as the Galilee region. Therefore, it’s called the Sea of Galilee.
2. It is also referred to in Scripture by other names like Ginnosar, Lake of Gennesar, Gennesaret, Sea of Chinneroth, Kinneret, and Sea of Tiberias.
3. It’s about 70 miles (115 Km.) north of Jerusalem and about 27 miles (45 Km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea.
4. It is a freshwater lake about 8 miles (13 km.) wide by about 12 miles (19 km.) long, and 150 ft. (46 m.) deep.
5. It is located about 700 ft. (213 m.) below sea level.
6. It is the main freshwater source for much of Israel.
7. Because of its location, storms can arise quickly and drop down onto its surface without much warning.
8. The Sea of Galilee was located on a main crossroad of the known world during Christ ministry on earth. This international highway was called the “Via Maris” (Way of the Sea), and linked travel between the three continents of, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
9. Travelers from these 3 continents were forced to use this route as there were few other options for traveling to and from each continent. This was so because there was a desert to the east that was impassible due to lack of water, and the Mediterranean Sea was located to the west which was not a realistic option for travel as it was expensive, and ships were scarce.
10. The Via Maris passed right along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and there are old ruins and markers showing its existence.
11. The north shore of the Sea of Galilee was even more traveled than the roads and routes leading through Jerusalem.
12. Oftentimes, we might think Christ was hiding out somewhere in a remote location. However, just the opposite was true. He chose the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (and Capernaum was located at a key place along this route) as a center stage so His message would reach as many people as possible in the world.
13. By spending most of His ministry time in the northern Galilee area, Christ’s miracles would travel by word of mouth to the ends of the earth. This laid the groundwork and sowed the seeds of the Gospel to the rest of the known world so that the evangelization work done later by the apostles would be easier and more acceptable to those who heard the message about Christ.
Historical Background
1. Abraham entered the Promised Land through the gateway of the Sea of Galilee when he first journeyed from Ur of the Chaldeans.
2. In Matthew 4 we find that Jesus established his home ministry base in the town of Capernaum which is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
3. At least 6 of the 12 disciples were from right around the Sea of Galilee. These were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and Philip.
4. According to Acts 1:11, the rest of the disciples were from the Galilee area as well.
Places of Interest (Please See Above Map)
Listed clockwise, starting at Tiberias
1. Tiberias
2. Mount Arbel – Likely place the Great Commission was given.
3. Magdala – Hometown of Mary Magdalene from whom Christ cast out 7 demons.
4. Yigal Allon Center – Jesus Boat Museum
5. Calling of the disciples.
6. Tel Chinnereth (Kinneret) – Identified as the Biblical city listed by Joshua as one of the fortified cities in the Naftali tribe region (Josh 19).
7. Restoration of Peter at Tabgha – Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter
8. The traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 at Tabgha – Church of the Multiplication
9. Mount of Beatitudes – Place from where Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount.
10. Chorazin – – One of the 3 towns Jesus cursed because of their unbelief.
11. Sower's Cove – Likely place Christ preached the Parables of the Kingdom sermon.
12. Capernaum - Homebase of Jesus, Franciscan Site
13. Capernaum - Homebase of Jesus, Greek Orthodox Site
14. Capernaum National Park and Peer – Great place to get out into the Sea of Galilee a bit.
15. St. Peter's Fish Restaurant Mifratz-Amnun – Nice restaurant and beach location.
16. Bethsaida traditional location.
17. Bethsaida newly discovered location – New archaeological evidence points to this place as the real Bethsaida.
18. Gamla – Place many Jews jumped to their deaths fleeing the Romans in 68 AD.
19. Great Sea of Galilee lookout place.
20. Kursi - Demon possessed man healed. Pigs run down a steep slope into the sea just south of Kursi.
21. Feeding of the 5,000 – The most accurate location according to Scripture.
22. Horvat Susita – Old Roman City atop of a hill on the east side of the Sea of Galilee.
23. Yardenit – Nice baptismal site and souvenir store.
24. Hamat Tiberias National Park – Old Ruins of ancient Tiberias.

JESUS PREACHED HERE: Mount of Beatitudes and city of Capernaum - Israel Day 4 (489)

Just to sit there, gazing out onto the mountain while we read the sermon on the mount was a beautiful moment, a powerful moment.

And to walk in what was the city of Capernaum was amazing. The ruins and relics were so cool!

This is just one part of my trip to Israel in January 2019. Check out the rest of the trip!