Why Jesus Chose a Highway Over a Throne
When most people think of Jesus’ ministry, their minds leap to Jerusalem—the spiritual capital of Israel, home to the Temple, priests, and religious power. But Jesus didn’t establish His base there. He didn’t settle among the religious elite or political power brokers. Instead, He set up headquarters in a small fishing village on the northern edge of the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum.
This wasn’t random.
It was strategic.
The Highway of the Nations
Capernaum sat along the Via Maris—Latin for "Way of the Sea"—one of the most significant trade routes of the ancient world. Stretching from Egypt through Israel and on to Syria and Mesopotamia, this international road carried merchants, soldiers, and travelers from every corner of the known world. Jesus didn’t need to go to the nations. In Capernaum, the nations were passing by.
This thoroughfare of cultures made Capernaum a perfect launch point for a global mission. It wasn’t just a sleepy fishing town—it was a crossroads, a divine intersection where heaven touched earth and the message of the Kingdom could ripple outward through natural traffic lanes of trade and commerce.
It’s no coincidence that Isaiah prophesied about this region centuries before, calling it “Galilee of the Gentiles” and promising that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:1–2). That light would burn brightest in Capernaum.
From the Heights: Mount Arbel and the Great Commission
Towering above the Sea of Galilee stands Mount Arbel, a rugged peak offering a panoramic view of the Galilee basin and, significantly, the Via Maris winding through the valley below. Scholars and travelers alike have imagined Jesus bringing His disciples to this spot—perhaps after the Resurrection, perhaps before—as He spoke the words that would ignite a global movement:
“Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).
Can you picture it? Jesus, standing at one of the highest points around the Galilee, gesturing toward the road that cut across the landscape like a lifeline to the world. “All nations,” He said—not just the house of Israel, not just those nearby. He pointed beyond.
The visual would have been unforgettable. From Mount Arbel, the disciples could see the highway. They could see where they had been—and where they were now called to go. It wasn’t just metaphor. It was mobilization.
Why This Matters to You
Today, you can stand where Jesus stood. You can walk through Capernaum, touch the stones of a synagogue He likely taught in, and hike up Mount Arbel to take in the same sweeping view that might have inspired the Great Commission. You can stand on the edge of purpose and see what the disciples saw: the nations waiting just down the hill.
Jesus didn’t choose a palace. He didn’t need a platform. He chose a path—a global one. And He still invites us to step onto that path, to go to the nations, to carry His message forward with the same strategic vision and unstoppable love.
At Waypoint Expeditions, we don’t just take you to the Holy Land—we guide you through it with spiritual insight, historical depth, and sacred purpose. When you stand at Mount Arbel, it won’t just be a view. It will be a commissioning.
