along THE WAY- Mount of Beatitudes

Recently discovered near the Mount of Beatitudes

 is the Roman era- Herodian walkway-

the basalt stone pavement that Jesus 
would have walked along
 as he greeted people and taught His followers.

Yossi- our tour guide, was able to work on this excavation
 with some of his students. 
We were amazed that we could just walk along this road-
 that it was not "off limits".

Yossi- holding a mustard plant
 that grew all along the path.
We were the only people here.

This little path we followed along to the possible 
site of the Sermon on the Mount.
Overlooking the plain of Gennesaret,
near Capernaum and Tabgha.

Yossi explained that Jesus would have probably
 spoke to the people from the bottom of the hill,
 maybe standing on a spot like this
 and speaking to the people sitting up the hill.

A grassy knoll filled with people eager
 to hear the words that Jesus spoke.
Powerful Kingdom teaching principles.

Michigan District President Dave Maier
 reads the words found in 
Matthew 5:3-12-
 The Beatitudes

The Mount of the Beatitudes is the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which contains a passage known as the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

On top of the "Mount of Beatitudes"-
 the Franciscan sisters 
constructed a church in 1939.

With this view across the Sea of Galilee,
 Jesus asked his followers-
"What controls your life?"
Who controls your life?"
Challenging them to live boldly,
 and contrary to human nature.
 The Kingdom of heaven was breaking thorough.
Jesus turned the day-to day concepts
 for everyday living upside-down.

If the people allowed these kingdom principles 
to take priority in their lives,
 transformation would happen.
Jesus wanted to reign and rule in their lives.
Just as He does today.
For His followers of THE WAY.

photos by johndenninger