Week of May 27, 2026

Recently, archeological findings strengthened the identification of the site of Bethsaida, a Galilean fishing village from the New Testament and the hometown of the disciples Peter, Andrew, and Philip. This excavation has been ongoing since 2016 and is led by professor Steven Notley, the academic director of one of Israel’s most prominent excavations, who recently presented his findings in Washington. Many Christian tourists visit the site, which is mentioned in John 1:44 as the town of Peter, the leader of the apostles and of the early church. It is meaningful for Christian tourists to see the area where many miracles took place as a part of Jesus’ early ministry.

Many ancient structures have been uncovered, like a Byzantine-era basilica, mosaics, and first-century pottery, all of which testify to the town’s importance in church history. The archeological team also found fishing weights and metal objects attached to fishing lines, which is significant because Peter and his brothers were fishermen. Professor Notley says, “We found a wall [of a home] from a first-century structure beneath the [church] apse. There’s no sign saying, ‘Peter slept here,’ but archaeologically speaking, it’s hard to get better evidence than this.”

Praise God that we can see biblical evidence of the people from the New Testament who lived with, learned from, and were the first followers of Jesus, the Messiah!

Attack drones are very lethal and have become a part of modern-day warfare. Recently, Hezbollah has integrated fiber optic drones to cause damage, injury, and death to Israeli troops along the northern border. Fiber optic drones use fiber optics instead of traditional signaling transmission to receive command and control from Hezbollah. It is completely immune to communication jamming or other methods of electronic warfare that stop these drones. The range of the fiber optics to receive command transmissions run from six miles to twelve miles. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is under great pressure to come up with solutions to stop these deadly drones, and the Ukrainian army has the same issue because Russia has adopted the same warfare.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has allocated two billion shekels to find solutions to combat these drones. Meanwhile, these drones can be bought on the Chinese website AliExpress for $300. In an effort to find solutions, many IDF units are devising and testing their own protective solutions. Currently, the IDF has purchased and equipped combat units with wire mesh to create a physical obstacle to intercept the drone before it becomes lethal. Since 2017, Israel has recognized that drone threats are critical and is doing their best to find defensive solutions that will help globally. Netanyahu said, “the issue of drones is recognized and being addressed, and the State of Israel is one of the pioneers in the world in providing a response to the problem.”

Please pray that solutions are found to protect Israeli soldiers and civilians from these deadly drones.

This past weekend, Israel and Jewish communities around the world celebrated Shavuot (which means “weeks” in Hebrew). The receiving of the Ten Commandments is celebrated throughout the country by eating sweet things—mainly dairy—like cheesecake or blintzes. Shavuot also celebrates the first barley harvest.

Shavuot celebrations were also held in the Gaza border communities, which are short distances away from the Gaza borders. These communities received the onslaught of the murderous rampages by Hamas, but are slowly springing to life again. This Shavuot was especially meaningful for the Gaza border communities, as it was the first Shavuot since October 7, 2023, that there were no hostages still held captive in Gaza.

The border community (kibbutz) hardest hit on October 7, Kibbutz Nir Oz, held Shavuot celebrations in which all the babies born in the past year were introduced; kibbutz members participated in cheesecake-making, soccer, and tractor competitions; and the kibbutz members lost on October 7 were remembered. One former hostage, Gadi Mozes, led a ceremony in which doves were released into the kibbutz fields to represent the community’s hope for peace along the Gaza border. Yamit Avital, a kibbutz member whose brother-in-law was killed on October 7, gave a speech about celebrating Shavuot and said, “Perhaps this time we can finally use the word ‘celebration.’ . . . some [hostages are] returning to rehabilitation, some to burial, and we can finally take a breath.’”

Please pray for the rebuilding of the homes in the Gaza border communities, and for strength to continue to process the horrific events and memories from the October 7 massacre.

Every year at Shavuot, hundreds of believers in Israel—friends, families, congregations, and visitors—gather together from all over the country for a large picnic together with worship, prayer, and joyous reunions. Many people wear white, enjoy family time together, and eat delicious foods.

There are many symbolic meanings rolled into this one holiday. It falls 49 days after Passover, as the Israelites journeyed from physical liberation as slaves in Egypt to spiritual redemption as they received God’s word on Mount Sinai when Moses received the Torah. As believers in Jesus the Messiah, we see in the New Testament that Shavuot (Pentecost) is also the day when the Holy Spirit came to dwell within the early believers (Acts 2).

There was a time many years ago when the crowds were fewer, and everyone knew each other . . . now, there are so many believers that not everyone knows each other. Regardless, united through Jesus, everyone had a joyous time. It truly is remarkable how much the body of believers in Israel has grown. May there only be more people coming to faith, strong families of believers, and more seekers asking if Jesus could be the promised Messiah!

Praise God for the Israelis who have found Jesus, their Messiah! Please pray for many more to accept His marvelous gift of salvation!

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