The Mount of Beatitudes and The Ancient Boat

These were two different sites that we visited, but since the details are short for both, I decided to combine them. The first site is the Mount of Beatitudes. It’s the mountain where, you guessed it, Jesus gave his famous Beatitudes sermon. The second is a little museum which holds a boat that was found dating back to the 1st century! Was it perhaps the boat Jesus and his disciples used? Who can say… (but probably not).

The Mount of Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV)

We don’t know the exact spot from which Jesus gave this sermon, but because he was living in Capernaum at the time, and because of the natural shape of the coastline here by these mountains, it is believed it was somewhere on this mountainside. The coastline here is in the shape of a natural amphitheater, which would have made it a prime location for Jesus to be heard by many people.

My view from the mountainside. The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and it is beautiful!
Another view from the mountainside. Just imagine, in Jesus’s day that would have been a fishing boat out on the water instead of a speed boat.

 

The Ancient Boat

This boat was found in 1986 on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee during a drought when the water had receded. The boat was carefully excavated and preserved and brought to this museum. The boat dates back to the 1st century, during Jesus’s time. Other than the dating and location, there is no connection to Jesus or his disciples. The boat is shrouded in mystery. We can only imagine what this boat was used for, and who sailed in it.

Since the boat was underwater, the wood was waterlogged and preserved. When they were uncovering the boat they had to make sure they kept it continually wet, or else the wood would dry out and disintegrate.
This is definitely the oldest boat I’ve ever seen. It’s over 2,000 years old!

Thanks for reading!

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