Experiencing the Land of the Bible – Tour Stop #3

Experiencing the Land of the Bible is a series of posts about places in the Holy Land that I visited on my trip in 2023. If you travel to Israel with me, many (if not all) of these are places we’ll visit as well. Each week’s post highlights the biblical and historical significance of the site, any interesting modern facts that add value, some pictures and maybe some videos I took in those locations as well. And if there’s a faith lesson to be learned, I’ll make sure to point that out as well.

Israel is a beautiful place that will not only inspire you, but totally transform your faith. You’ll never see the Bible the same way again… it will come alive in a way you never expected. If you’re interested in visiting the Holy Land, we have a trip scheduled for March 12-20, 2026. Space is going fast, but you can still get more information and reserve a spot now!

Where Are We?

Welcome to Magdala (also called Migdal), a small fishing village tucked along the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It doesn’t look like much at first glance – no towering ruins or massive coliseums – but what was discovered here will blow your mind.

Magdala was the hometown of Mary Magdalene, a woman whose entire life was rewritten by grace. And in the last decade, Magdala has become one of the most exciting archaeological sites in Israel.

In 2009, construction workers breaking ground for a new hotel unearthed something stunning just a few steps from the shoreline: a first-century synagogue, one of the few ever discovered from Jesus’ lifetime. It was beautifully preserved, and almost definitely a place where Jesus taught.

Think about that: you’re standing in a church where Jesus opened a scroll and preached a sermon. I’ve gotta say…it’s a pretty crazy feeling.

Biblical Significance: A Name, A Town, A Turning Point

Mary Magdalene is one of the most important women in the New Testament, and yet we don’t even know her full story. What we do know is powerful:

• She was healed by Jesus (Luke 8:1-2)
• She became one of His most devoted followers
• She stayed when others ran, and was present at Golgotha when Jesus was crucified
• She was the first to witness the resurrected Christ (John 20)

The Bible tells us that she was a courageous, faithful disciple who refused to look away at the darkest moment, and who became the first to spread the word of the resurrection of Jesus.

Now here’s the part that gives you chills: In the synagogue that was uncovered, archaeologists found the Magdala Stone, an elaborately carved block that sat in the center of the room, likely used to hold the Torah scrolls. Engraved into the stone is what’s believed to be the earliest known depiction of the Jerusalem Temple menorah, suggesting a deep spiritual hunger in this little town.

And right outside? A marketplace with fish pools and stone tables still stained with centuries-old scales. Magdala was a blue-collar, working town. A run-of-the-mill place where God’s grace landed in a big way, right in the middle of everyday life.

Grace in the Rubble

Magdala reminds us that Jesus didn’t just go to the synagogues of the elite. He walked into the places where people were hurting, struggling, misunderstood. He prioritized the marginalized, anyone who’s ever felt like they’re “too much” or “not enough.”

It’s no accident that Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Christ. Jesus gave voice to the voiceless, and Magdala is where that story begins.

Aha Moment: From Magdala to Modern Faith

The ruins of Magdala whisper a powerful truth:
God does holy things in humble places.

This wasn’t a temple. It wasn’t Jerusalem. It was a simple, dusty lakeside town that stunk like fish, and that’s where Jesus worked. That’s where He healed. That’s where He recruited disciples who would carry His story to the world.

At First Christian Church, we believe Jesus is for all people – not just the put-together, not just the powerful, not just the prestigious, but also the ones who’ve been written off, silenced, or stuck in shame.

Magdala reminds us that if you think your past disqualifies you from God’s future, you’re exactly the kind of person Jesus chooses.

Reflection Prompt

Who have I overlooked because they don’t “fit” the typical mold of a follower of Jesus?
Where have I let shame silence me, instead of letting grace speak louder?

Jesus, help me hear You calling my name, just like You called Mary’s.
Remind me that You don’t just restore broken people… You send them.

Visiting Today

The Magdala site is open to visitors and beautifully preserved. The first-century synagogue has been carefully reconstructed, and the Magdala Stone is on display where it was found. You can walk through the fish market area, sit by the Sea of Galilee, and even visit the Duc In Altum chapel, a modern prayer center built to honor the women of Scripture.