Drawing Near On The Sea Of Galilee
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19b
It has been called by different names; Lake Gennesaret, Sea of Tiberias, Sea of Ginosar, and a few other things, but I have always called it the Sea of Galilee. It is the lowest freshwater lake on earth. Only the Dead Sea is the lower...but the Dead Sea is definitely not freshwater, thus its name. The Sea of Galilee is about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. It is in the shape of a harp, which is fitting because the harp is a majestic instrument, and this lake is indeed regal.
When I have taken groups to the Holy Land, and we discuss our favorite sites, the Sea of Galilee always makes the top three. So much happened on and around this body of water. Jesus walked on it, and Peter sunk in it. The disciples fished it, even though we never see them catching a minnow without the help of the carpenter. Jesus called some of His disciples while standing on its shore and the Sermon on the Mount was preached as Jesus was overlooking it. Storms blew up on it and storms were quickly muzzled as the Prince of Peace declared peace! Thousands were fed with a little boy’s lunch in sight of these waters, and Jesus prayed all night as He kept his eyes on the disciples bobbing up and down in its choppy depths.
I have enjoyed every time I have been on or around the Sea of Galilee, but in January 2023, I had a special DRAW NEAR experience! We were about four miles out and the crew stopped the boat as they always do. Our guide, Moshe Malka, pointed out everything of significance in all directions. Several of the forty or so who were with me read scripture where the Sea of Galilee is mentioned, we sang songs, prayed, and were taking pictures before the vessel’s engine fired up again for our return.
I had found a quiet place in the bow of the boat and was looking toward Capernaum. I was remembering how Jesus had made this fishing village His headquarters after being run out of Nazareth! I was recounting the times that I had visited the ruins of the synagogue that had been blessed by Christ’s teachings, and recalling the times I stood near Peter’s house where the feisty fisherman’s mother in law had been healed. This hometown of Matthew that is mentioned in all four gospels is such an incredible region. Some have called this sea and its surrounding area, “the fifth gospel” because of its prominent place in scripture.
As I stood there on that chilly morning I was reflecting on the passage where Jesus called James, John, Peter, and Andrew and reminiscing about my own call to preach the gospel. At that moment I was physically closer to where their call took place than where mine did. Even though I was thousands and thousands of miles away from that ole church pew back in East Ridge, Tennessee my call was more real than ever. My heart was exploding with gratitude because King Jesus called me! Standing in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee I was drawing near to God, and as He promised, He was drawing near to me! I am so glad He called me to preach and not to play the harp!
