Day 1: Departure
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
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
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 challenged King Ahab
and the prophets of Baal. 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
Tiberias area on the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 4: Capernaum, Dan, Caesarea Philippi & Mount of
Beatitudes
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to
two valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of
God's blessing on Israel.
Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the
depths of pagan worship and
Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of
Peter’s Confession. In order to save valuable time,
a box lunch will be provided. 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.
After viewing the ancient Fisherman Boat at an
operating Kibbutz, 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 concluding a
wonderful day.
Day 5: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean & Dead
Sea
We begin our day with a visit to the
Jordan River Baptismal site. 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. 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 southward, your guide will point out the
agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and
Honey,” the Kibbutz system and Israel’s intricate
irrigation development. We pass ancient 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, Abraham's
Tent
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. This afternoon we will take part in the
Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where we
enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the
time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume,
dramatic presentation, and authentic food. Our
lodging for the next four nights will be in
Jerusalem.
Day 7: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust
Museum
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper
Room" just outside the
Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus loved
laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas
cried, "my Lord & my God." An interesting and
educational time 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 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.
Day 8: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days - Messianic
Lecture
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. Next 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. On our way
into the city we will visit 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 move on to the
Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who
conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal
beating and humiliation. From here we will also be
able to see the
Pool of Bethesda,
Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church. This
evening we enjoy a special lecture by a local
believer prior to dinner, giving us a perspective of
Messianic life in Israel.
Day 9: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb, Pentecost,
Bethlehem
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are
reminded of His way of suffering along with a visit
to the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will
explain the differing opinions on the route that
Christ was led. The actual place of crucifixion and
burial is a very interesting study. Our climax of
the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull)
and the
Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection
with communion and a time of praise. 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. We will enjoy a challenge from
God’s Word and a song before an optional time this
afternoon. Those who wish may stay in the city
marketplace for shopping, while others may choose to
spend the remainder of the day surrounding the birth
of Christ, with a visit to
Bethlehem.
Day 10: Home
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv
Airport for our flight homeward will allow for
arrival home by early afternoon.