Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Etc. – Day 2

Caesarea Theater

Caesarea Hippodome/Ampitheater

Today we went to Caesarea (Maritime) where Peter went to Cornelius, Paul defended himself before Festus in the theater, and Paul set sail for his Roman trial. The Hippodrome and Palace established at this incredible port city by Herod the great were amazing works of art and architecture. We could have spent a whole day in this beautiful setting and grand archaeological treasure.

We then travelled to Mt. Carmel.

Mosaic Floor Being Uncovered in Palace at Caesarea

Stopping on the way at a nice restaurant  which is run by Druiz (people group within in Israel who are very loyal to Israel). For me Mt. Carmel was an incredible spot to think about all that took place there and in the land visible from there. On this mountain in 1 Kings 18 Elijah took on the prophets of baal. After three years of total drought brought on the Northern Kingdom of Israel by God in judgment, the surrounding area would have been a brown dustbowl like wasteland. Nothing like the view we saw today.

After the prophets of Baal begged their idol god all day to bring down fire and burn their sacrifice, nothing happened.

View from Mt. Carmel toward Jezreel Valley

They even cut themselves to get his attention with their gushing blood. Nothing. Elijah steps up and after a prayer lasting a few seconds, God shows his power to all the people of Israel gathered and consumes all the sacrifice, the wet altar, the ground and even the dust with fire. The people now could see the choice to follow Jehovah God was clear.

We then travelled to Megiddo. It is a “tel” – a mound of several civilizations built on top of each other over the centuries – of 26 layers of separated civilizations. It lies just above the valley of Armageddon where we are told in Revelation 16 Jesus will bring judgment on the nations that challenge his righteous sovereignty in the end times.

View of Armageddon Valley from Tel Megiddo

The Megiddo tel is a visible demonstration of one people group destroying another only to be defeated by yet another people group generations later. The valley sits as a reminder of the coming of the King of Kings to claim his victory won on the cross as He establishes His eternal reign on earth.

We saw a

Accurate Manger in Megiddo

deep grain pit on the top of Megiddo as well as walked hundreds of steps into the cut out narrow tunnel under rock to see the water spring source the various civilizations would have protected until the final battle for their city.

Water Source Tunnel Megiddo

From here we climbed up to Nazareth. A modern day city bustling with people and cars. It is here Mary was told she would give birth to God’s Son and it is here that Jesus was raised. A young evangelical seminary student (from Nazareth Evangelical Seminary) led us on a tour of a recreated village of Nazareth as it would have been in Jesus day.

Replica 1st Century Synagogue in Nazareth

Fabulous young man who deeply loves Jesus who did an unbelievable job making sayings, parables, and stories of Christ come to life with simple objects and life size building replicas. Great visit.

We then drove through Cana (where Jesus turned the water into wine) on our way to our hotel in Tiberius along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. What a view it was as we ascended into the Jordan Valley and saw the beautiful Sea. We had dinner at a restaurant by the hotel called “Decks.” We ate outside on a pier jutting out into the sea. Gorgeous! Relaxing! Inspiring!

What a day! Now to sleep!

Port in Caesarea where Paul sailed for his trial in Rome