Mount of Transfiguration, River Jordan Baptismal site and Sea of Galilee

Some highlights from another day in Israel.

The Church of the Transfiguration is a Franciscan church located at the top of Mount Tabor in Israel. The road winds up a one lane, narrow road to the top and we were all relieved to get out of the car! The church is traditionally believed to be the site where the Transfiguration of Christ took place, an event recorded in the New Testament in which Jesus was transfigured upon a mountain and spoke with Moses and Elijah.  

The best way to understand the significance of this site is to read the scriptural account written in Matthew 17.

The Transfiguration

Matthew 17:  After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Built of light-coloured limestone, the Church of Transfiguration is built in the Syrian architectural style which developed between the 4th and 6th centuries. The entrance to the church has a round-headed arch which was particularly beautiful!

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

For this reason, three chapels are at this location. To the left at the entrance is a small chapel dedicated to Elijah and to the right is another for Moses. At the entrance of the church is an inscription from Matthew recounting the event. 

At the time of the Transfiguration, Jesus' earthly ministry was coming to a close. He had acknowledged that He was the Messiah and predicted His death and resurrection and then revealed to a select few His divine purpose. 

This church was built on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine church (4th - 6th century) and a 12th century church of the Crusader period.

The nave of the church is designed in Syrian style with wide spanning arches and a roof of alabaster panels with wood which was meant to let in as much light as possible. The vaulting of the apse in a mosaic of gold represents the Transfiguration and is separated from the aisles by wide-spanning arches.  

A Byzantine cross graces the ceiling of  the small chapels for Elijah and Moses.

Steps lead down to a lower level to the "Grotto of Christ".  The grotto is enclosed by modern barrel-shaped walls.

Jesus told Peter, James, and John not to tell anyone about their experience until after He had risen from the dead. Years later, Peter recalled the event and some years later Simon Peter wrote of the event.

View from the roof of the church. It's wonderful to be able to show our family so many sites in Israel.

 The Galilee valley below was green and lush but in another couple of 
months it won't be as green.

In the courtyard by the church, we had a contest
 for the cheesiest "senior photo" shot.  

We left Mount Tabor and headed to Galilee. It was a beautiful day and so fun to spend a few days with our family.

We stopped at the what is considered a likely baptismal site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Despite the commercialization, there are some secluded places along the banks of the Jordan River where more private baptisms can take place.  Whether this is the original site or not, it is a gentle reminder of steps necessary when making a commitment to God. I am continually reminded of a comment made by Dr. Skinner last year when someone asked, "Is this the original site?" and he answered, "That's what the sign says!"  One really doesn't know but this is what we celebrate at this site.

Whenever we visit the baptismal site at the River Jordan, there are usually crowds (even bus loads) of people waiting to be baptized.  Some dunk themselves while others are assisted by clergy. Nevertheless, it is always interesting to watch as people come out of the water after their "spiritual rebirth." 

Another site along the way was a visit to Magdala. This site is run by a legion of Catholic nuns who also manage the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem where we saw the Shroud of Turin Exhibit. (Previous blog entry)

Pictured above is Magdala located on the banks of the Sea of Galilee.

We were greeted by a very attractive 53 year old woman who said she was "training to become a nun." She explained that recently she received validation of her next phase of her life and knew this was what she needed to do. Therefore, she packed up her belongings and moved from New York to Israel to dedicate her life to Jesus. I asked her name and she replied, "Mary." She radiated love of God and an appreciation for life. Having her as a guide made our experience even more meaningful as she guided us around the grounds which has relics of the only first century synagogue in Israel. 

At one time, Magdala was a central harbor for fishing and commerce and exported salted fish all over the globe.  This is an area of 12 acres and currently there is a campaign to raise funds needed to complete the excavation. Mary said that this synagogue was surely a place where Jesus taught because it is the oldest synagogue excavated in Galilee. In the short time she spent with us, she made a lasting impression and is one nun we'll never forget. 

The Magdala Stone was discovered inside the synagogue.  The intricate design appears to be a three-dimensional representation of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Note the carving of the menorah.  The rosette design on this stone consists of 12 petals which represent the 12 tribes of Israel.  

Beginning in the 1960's, archaeologists discovered Magdala’s ancient port and a city grid with paved streets, water canals, a marketplace, villas and a mosaic depicting a sailing boat. Also buried in the mud covering a thermal bath complex were all types of earthenware (bowls, cups, plates) , perfume jars, jewelry, hairbrushes and combs along with bronze applicators for make-up.

This is a ritual bath with "living waters" which is fed by a natural spring under the ground. When excavations began for a hotel on 2009,  a seven branched menorah, pottery, ornate mosaics, frescoes and ritual baths of "living waters" were uncovered in less than one foot of dirt.  It is estimated that Magdala was once a city of 40,000 people with a fleet of more than 200 boats. The city of Magdala is mentioned once in Matthew 15:39 and says that Jesus went there by boat. It is estimated that 80% of the city is still to be uncovered.

Mary Magdalene is revered as a saint by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran Churches with a day of feasting July 22. Other Protestant churches honor her as a "heroine of the faith."  She was mentioned 12 times in scripture (and more times than the apostles) and was present at Christ's crucifixion and was the first recorded witness of His resurrection. Some say she was either born in Magdala or just lived there. 

In 2014, a lovely church was built at the edge of the harbor and the original stones from the harbor paved the way into the basement of this beautiful church. The altar is in the shape of a first-century boat which stands in front of an infinity pool that leads to the Sea of Galilee.  This church focuses on women from the Bible.  I didn't take many photos this time because I previously posted an entry on my blog.

The Encounter Chapel at the lower level of the boat Chapel at Magdala.

Above is a beautiful painting we wanted our family to see.  The scriptural reference is in Mark 5:25-34: 

25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 

27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”



Scriptural references in Matthew and Mark say that Jesus preached in synagogues "throughout Galilee." Magdala is a short distance from Capernam where Jesus based His ministry.

Mary explained that at one time this city became a fortified base for rebels during the First Jewish Revolt (66-70 AD) and a disastrous sea battle took place. The Sea of Galilee became red with blood and was full of dead bodies. The original stones from the 1st century market place lead from the harbor to a lovely church built in 2014. 

The Women’s Atrium features eight pillars, seven of which represent women in the Bible who followed Jesus, while the eighth honors women of faith across all time.

Honored Women: 

 Mary Magdalene; Salome (mother of James and John); Simon Peter's mother-in-law (healed by Jesus and then supporter of His ministry); Mary, wife of Cleopas (follower of Jesus and present at His crucifixion); Susana and Joanna, wives of Chuza (followers of Jesus); Many other women who followed and supported Jesus;  Unmarked Pillar – for women of all time who love God and live by faith.

Karisa gives brother-in-law a hug at the Sea of Galilee.

Right:  Keri and Keith

                                                                                                                          Below:  Karisa and McKay

Family picture at Galilee.

This the best time of the year to be in Galilee.  

We stayed in Tiberius, a small city located on the west side of Galilee and walked along the boardwalk before we stopped for dinner. McKay ordered St. Peter fish for dinner, the same type of fish that Jesus fed 5,000 people just before He walked on water.   

Sunset at Galilee.

To be continued . . .