Day 1: Departure from US (February 23)
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
24)
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 northward to our hotel for one
night in the coastal area near 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 25)
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
drive 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 Galilee
area, overlooking the “Sea.”
Day 4: Capernaum & Mount of
Beatitudes, Jordan Baptism (February 26)
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 27)
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 28)
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 Cavess 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 proceed to
the “Golden City,” Jerusalem our location for the next four
nights. As we travel up to Jerusalem we view St. George’s
Monastery. We have dinner this evening at our Jerusalem
Hotel.
Day 7: Around
Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust Museum (March 1)
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 (March 2)
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 (March 3)
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 our final dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10: Home (March 4)
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for
our flight homeward will allow for arrival home by early
afternoon.