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Day 1: Departure from US (February 21)
Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!
Day 2: Arrive Israel (February 22)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We travel westward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area in Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. The time is right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the “Great Sea.” Enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night’s rest.
Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth (February 23)
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah hid from King Ahab. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We continue with a brief trail walk just outside the town of Nain before driving through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the Tiberais area.
Day 4: Capernaum & Mount of Beatitudes, Jordan Baptism
(February 24)
Following breakfast, we view an ancient Fisherman Boat at an operating Kibbutz, known as the Jesus boat. Next, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples beginning a wonderful day of touring. Docking in Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. We end this site with a walk to the bottom of the hill to St. Peter’s Primacy. We finish out the day at the Yardenit Baptismal site with a memorial service. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. This evening we have a gathering for discussion and devotion.
Day 5: Golan Heights, Tel Dan, Beth Shean & Dead Sea (February 25)
We begin our day with a trip atop Golan Heights, for a visit to the Bentel outpost overlooking Syria and Mt Hermon. We then travel to nearby Tel Dan, a valuable northern site emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship. Upon returning to the Galilee we take in a wonderful view of the sea from the Decapolis. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. (1 Sam 31:10-12) During the intertestamental period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis". Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis -a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey,” the Kibbuzt system and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We follow the road south past the ancient city of Jericho, view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world, before coming to our lodging for the evening at the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.
Day 6: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls (February 26)
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We spend some time at Qumran to explore the gift shop housing a wealth of Israeli treasures. We precede to the “Golden City,” Jerusalem our location for the next four days. As we travel up to Jerusalem we stop at a Jericho overlook, addressing the passage of the “Good Samaritan.” We have dinner this evening at our Jerusalem Hotel.
Day 7: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust Museum (February 27)
Depending on the political environment we start with a trip atop the Temple Mount. Following our time there an interesting and educational afternoon awaits us at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of centuries old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what you will experience in the following days. We then take a trip over to “Joseph’s Storehouse,” a Messianic Humanitarian Mission Center, to meet some of the individuals involved in this ministry and learn of the current events in Israel. We conclude the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people. We have another gathering for discussion and devotion this evening following dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days (February 28)
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment? To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here. We enter the Old City, through Stephen’s Gate for a visit to the Pool of Bethesda, and St. Ann’s Church. We have a visit to the location of Antonio’s Fortress and the pit where Christ may have been housed. As we exit we walk the Via Dolorosa, and are reminded of His way of suffering. We arrive at the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight after a full touring day.
Day 9: City of David, Pentecost, Garden Tomb (February 29)
This morning following breakfast we visit the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned. We enter the nearby City of David for a historical account of the early city of Jerusalem under David’s Rule. We view the Pool of Salom and travel through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. (Weather Permitting) This afternoon we visit the Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard have been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. The climax of the day is the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. We will enjoy a challenge from God’s word and a song before returning to the hotel for dinner and a time to freshen up before traveling to the airport for our midnight flight arriving home on March 1st.
