This lesson appears in the book: The Holy Land Companion Guide Biblical Sermons & Lessons to guide you through the Holy Land and Egypt. By: Pastor and Christian Author Jessica Linhart available @ Amazon.com: Jessica Linhart: books, biography, latest update
Josh 12:3 and 13:27 John 6:1 and 21:1
In this lesson we are going to travel to the Sea of Galilee, but first we’ll have a little biblical history lesson about the Sea of Galilee.
The Holy Ghost has led me into a deep study about the sea of Galilee. You might want to get a pencil and paper and jot down some notes; so that, you can come back and study on your own. If you’re reading this sermon from the book you might want to highlight the pertinent information.
The sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake. Manu new Christians and even I thought that this body of water could’ve been like the saltwater ocean. However, scripture and your travels will teach you that the sea of Galilee is actually a lake. The sea of Galilee is located in northern Israel. It is 13 miles long and just 7 1/2 miles wide.
The lake has been called by different names throughout its history, usually depending on the dominant settlement on its shores. With the changing fate of the towns, the lake’s name also changed. The word “Galilee” comes from the Hebrew Haggalil (הַגָלִיל), which literally means “The District.”
Do examine the biblical meaning of the sea of Galilee we must, of course, search our Scriptures. The first few for mention, us mention is as follows:
Numbers 34:11
The Sea of Chinnerth Joshua 12:3
The Sea of Chinnorth Joshua 13:27
The Sea of Tiberias John 6:1 and John 21:1
Numbers 34:11 (King James Version) “11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:”
In the book of numbers, God is speaking to Moses and directing his path. Here God gives Moses, the directions on how to divide the land in the promised land. God instructed Moses to divide the land within the Promise Land, according to the 12 sons of Jacob. This verse is spiritual even though it instructs us on territories and boundaries. In addition, we know that scripture is a living Word and the Holy Ghost brought to my attention the next phrase: lost blessings, missed opportunities, and unrealized potential.
Joshua 12:3(King James Version) “3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:”
Let me explain, instructions on how to divide up the land up according to the north, the south, the east, and the west, but if you read a map, you’ll realize that it’s a large territory. The problem is that once the Jewish people entered into the promised land they were under the leadership of Joshua, and they never occupied all of the land that God had promised. They never conquered all of their lands, according to what God had instructed. Therefore, there was potential for their nation, but it never was really obtained. A promise was given, but it was not fully acted upon. Remember, in Joshua 13, when he is about to die, God relayed the message that there were territories that needed to be conquered.
“Joshua 13:27 (King James Version) 27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.”
Remember, (like us) the people of Israel go through cycles of rejection and restoration. After Joshua dies, we enter into the period of Judges. Then the people of Israel go through a cycle of disobedience and restoration. Sometimes, this is our very same cycle. When we are not living a sanctified life we continue to sin, then ask for forgiveness, and receive restoration, but we still have consequences to face.
If we are disobedient to God, we miss some of the blessings that we would have received. However, in spite of our disobedient, and in spite of our failures, God still opens the windows of heaven and pours out a blessing that we cannot carry. The truth is that we cannot out give God because he gave his only begotten son. Thus, the Holy Ghost wants us to stay close to God.
And in the book of Joshua, we read a lot of names, which, describes places, most often. God has this in Scripture for a reason. Since it is written, we need not to read over it. We need to give our attention to it. We need to turn our eyes to the pages, open our ears, and let it digest in our hearts. These specific locations are what we describe as the promised land, and it was given to the Israelites by God. When God gives us something, we can count on it.
Now let’s continue unto our next Scripture! It is a very familiar Scripture: John 6:2-6, 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”
We can infer from the Scriptures that Jesus was not happy with the leadership of the people. Jesus wanted to be a good shepherd. He wanted to show that he had compassion on people and wanted people to feel love. Therefore, we see Jesus escaping to the mountains, and with him, a multitude of people followed. He had compassion on this multitude because he wanted to feed them. You see, Jesus is concerned about our spiritual needs and our physical needs.
The people see what Jesus has done and are amazed. In fact, many of them are following him just to see what he does next. There wasn’t much entertainment in the world and sadly some people follow Jesus for entertainment. They wanted to see his marvelous works, they wanted to see his healing, And they wanted to hear his excellent stories. Today, people are like that, too! They want to be a part of the physical church and the fellowship, but that they’re not really a part of the kingdom of God. There’s a rift there.
The next scripture that we are going to consider is John 21:1, and it is quoted for you below:
John 12:1-1 (King James Version) 21 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Sometimes, I have been known to eat bizarre things for breakfast, and apparently, they did this, and Jesus ate edge. These men were welcome on shore by Jesus, and he gave them fish and bread for breakfast.
The disciples had just been through a roller coaster of events. Their emotions were everywhere. They probably didn’t know if they were coming or going; thus, making dinner for breakfast. But this is a very significant breakfast.
They are once a gather again gathered with their Messiah. Where? On the shores of Galilee. for one disciple, he received a word, and he received restoration by Jesus. Everyone, that pays for a trip to Israel, and stands on the banks of the sea of Galilee desires, to have a word, or to be in the presence of God. I can’t imagine wasting that kind of money, and not wanting to learn scripture.
This little section of Scripture has great meaning of impact on our lives today.
The main point to take away from this scripture is that this is the third time Jesus was seen, by the disciples, after his resurrection. This is for those doubters. This is for those spectators. Jesus really did go to the grave, die, and was resurrected! So , Jesus Christ has one victory over death; which, means we have victory over death. Therefore, we have the evidence we need in order to believe.
The Bible is written, so that everyone may believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah! This is a good note and a good place to stop for today! Consider the following scripture: 1 John 5:13 (King James Version) 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
For some interesting commentary on John a visit this webpage: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-21-2/
Discussion Questions for Chapter 7:
- According to Scripture what happened on the Sea of Galilee?
The fabled Sea of Galilee is where Christians believe Jesus walked on water, calmed the storm, and made Peter and Andrew into “fishers of men.” It’s where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. And it’s where Jesus fed the masses with a few loaves and fish and gave his Sermon on the Mount.
- Which disciples were called?
- Why were there so many storms on the water?
- What is the difference between a physical and spiritual “fish for men?”
- Why do you think God chose this spot for all these activities?
