As the site of many Bible stories and sermons taught by Christ, the Sea of Galilee is more than just a body of water. It’s a symbol of life, hope, and Jesus. And for the people who live near it now, the Sea of Galilee is also an important source of income, through fishing, tourism, and so on. So it’s no understatement to call the recent water level rise a miracle.
For the past twenty years, dry winters and droughts have lowered the water level, so much so that trees started growing on the new shore. But now, after a substantially rainy winter, the water line has risen by a remarkable 18 feet.
CBN News covered the story last week. They interviewed one lake tour guide, Rachela Dotan, who shared her excitement at the sight of the high water: “I’m thrilled. We still treat it like our lifeline even though we don’t drink the water anymore. Every time I see a full lake, it’s like I want to sing, I want to cry out with joy. I’m amazed by the grace of God.”
Chairman of Jordan Valley Regional Council Idan Greenbaum told CBN, “We are very excited because of this...It's very good for all of us around the lake, the Sea of Galilee, for agriculture, for the farmers, for the tourists, for everybody.”
This time of year is when most tourists would be heading to Israel, but due to the current pandemic, the shores are practically empty. Only recently have restrictions begun to ease, allowing for local Israelis to visit.
Before the travel bans took effect back in March, one tourist said, “It’s an amazing privilege to be here where Jesus was, to go on a boat and to watch the sunset over the place I’ve read in the scriptures so much about and to be able to see it.”
The Bible cites the Sea of Galilee as the location for many of the chapters of Christ’s life. It was there that Jesus invited His disciples to become fishers of men, taught sermons and fed multitudes, calmed a storm, and even walked on water. Now, “by the grace of God,” it has been restored to its former glory, as if a reminder to keep hoping in the One who once walked those shores.