Magdala, a fishing village once located between the cliffs of Mount Arbel and the Sea of Galilee, is the hometown of Mary Magdalene, a woman Jesus delivered from seven demons, one of the women at His crucifixion, and the first person to see the resurrected Christ.
The piers, warehouses and markets are submerged in the lake due to changes in sea level over hundreds of years. The town prospered on the area’s agriculture and fishing industry. In January 1986 following years of drought, the sea level of the Sea of Galilee was extremely low. Two brothers in the local kibbutz discovered the outline of a boat in the mud. When it was excavated, archaeologist determined it to be a first century fishing boat. Preserved in a special chemical solution, this “Jesus boat” is on display at the Kibbutz Ginnosar Museum on the site of ancient Magdala. The boat pictured in this chapel is a reproduction.
Jesus spent three days with a crowd of more than four thousand and fed them. Afterward He got into a boat like you see here and went to the area of Magadan. In this place the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Him for a sign from heaven. Jesus said they would get no sign except the sign of Jonah. He referred to His future death and resurrection (Matthew 16:1-4). Leaders of Magdala also asked for a sign. This was where Jesus’ miracles were well known. What more could they want?
The forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, was thrown into prison and began to question if Jesus was the Christ. He sent his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He was the Messiah. Jesus said, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me” (Matthew 11:4-6). These verses are fulfillment of Isaiah 35:5-6. Blinded by what the religious leaders expected the Messiah to be, they missed their Savior. What about you? Do you believe Jesus is who He says He is?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank you for Bible history that proves you are who You say You are. Thank your for archaeologist’s discoveries that also prove the reality of who You are. Open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Closer Walk with God 