Tabgha

Click map for larger image Red dot represents the location of the site

The Chapel of the Beatitudes is located in a region called Tabgha, located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is the traditional site of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. The modern Chapel was built in 1937, and is eight-sided, one for each of the beatitudes. Surrounding the building are magnificent gardens in which eight large stone plaques are scattered with a beatitude carved on each in Latin. It also features a commanding panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee.

The Beatitudes are:
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 God.

This was Jesus’ battle plan, so to say, for changing the world, and for how His people were to live their lives.

Tradition has it that Tabgha is the lakeshore Christ often retreated to in order to be alone and pray. There are two other churches in the area commemorating events in the Gospels. One is the Church of the Multiplication, built over the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 as described in Matthew 14:13-21 and the parallel stories in the other gospels. The altar is made from a large rock that Jesus had laid the loaves upon. This mosaic is in the floor in front of the altar. Notice that there are two fish, and only four loaves. The fifth loaf was to be laid on the altar.

The third church in Tabgha is the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, built over the rock where tradition holds Jesus prepared breakfast for his disciples after his resurrection (John 21). It also features a beautiful sculpture depicting Christ's words to Peter, "Feed my lambs," commissioning him as the leader of the church.

Walk with God at Tabgha
“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?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (John 6:5-13)

“When God is about to do something good, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something great, He starts with an impossibility. And that means, regardless of your circumstances, you are a candidate for a miracle today!

“The disciples were faced with an impossibility. On a moment’s notice, they were asked to feed 5,000 hungry men plus their families…with only the equivalent of five tuna sandwiches! To test His men, Jesus asked the obvious question: ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ And the disciples gave the obvious answer: ‘Nowhere!’ But, once they admitted, from a human point of view, that the situation was hopeless, Christ stepped in to prove His adequacy once again.

“Are you facing a hopeless situation in your home, your marriage, your job? The first step toward appropriating God’s strength is to admit your own inadequacy. Have a tuna fish sandwich for lunch today, and as you munch, tell God about your ‘five barley loaves, and two small fish.’ That’s more than enough for Him to produce a banquet of blessing…if you’ll only give it to Him! As the little boy learned, little is much when God is in it!”

-Daily Walk, Oct 1996, The Navigators

.
Virtual Tour home page	Previous location	Index of locations	Next location
	Bibliography used	Personal home page
Questions or Comments?	Sign Guestbook	Email me