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Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a lifechanging experience. Get some rest on the flight…tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport to be met by our Israeli guide, who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We travel to Old Jaffa, once the gateway to the land of Israel and the port from which Jonah the Prophet tried to escape the Lord’s command. After a panoramic bus tour of the city, proceed to our hotel in Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean Sea, relax, and have dinner. The time is right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the “Great Sea” -- 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.
Dinner and overnight: Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea Maritima, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We will 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 town of Cana, site of the miracle of the wine, and arrive in Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church. At Mensa Christi we take time to pray, learn, and meditate. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight: Kibbutz Ginnosar
Following breakfast, we take a moving Sea of Galilee cruise on a fisherman’s boat. A brief scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. Our morning travels then take us to important sites of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee. In Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and then to Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. We proceed to the Banias, ancient Caesarea Philippi, one of the main sources of the Jordan River and where Jesus was recognized as the Messiah by His disciples. We then ascend the Golan Heights to look down over the Galilee from above and to view the former border town of Kuneitra.
Dinner and overnight: Kibbutz Ginnosar
We begin our day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal Site, including time for prayer, study, and meditation. Next we travel southward to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, and look out toward Nain, where Jesus resurrected a young man, and Mount Gilboa, the site of numerous biblical events. Proceed to the lovely nature reserve at Harod’s Spring, the site of Gideon’s Cave, where many armies have gathered throughout history. We continue to Beit-Shean, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. 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 continue south and then west for the ascent to Jerusalem. As we enter the Holy City, we pause to pray, learn and meditate: Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem (Ps. 122:2). Our lodging for the next four nights will be in Jerusalem.
Dinner and overnight: Moriah Classic Hotel, JLM
Today we walk where Jesus walked, beginning the day with a breathtaking view of the Old City, including Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock, from atop the Mount of Olives. Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room," where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast, and where later Thomas cried, "my Lord and my God." We enter the city walls and move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, to hear of those who conspired against Him and be 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. We return to the Old City to walk along the Via Dolorosa, His Way of Suffering. Our guide will explain the differing opinions concerning the route along which Christ was led. Then we take in a view of the Temple Mount, where Jesus drove out the vendors and money changers 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.
Dinner and overnight: Moriah Classic Hotel, Jerusalem
We stop to pray, learn, and meditate at the Church of Mary Magdelene. 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? At the Garden of Gethsemane, we walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer, and take time for personal reflection. In the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. We then spend the remainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ with a visit to Bethlehem, including Shepherd's Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus, and the Church of the Nativity, that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Dinner and overnight: Moriah Classic Hotel, JLM Monday, 7 March: Around Jerusalem, Ein Karem, Holocaust Museum. We begin today with a panoramic bus tour of modern Jerusalem, including views of the Knesset (Parliament), Supreme Court, and President’s House. An interesting and educational time then awaits us at the Israel Museum, where we will visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and then view an accurately detailed model of biblical Jerusalem, which helps summarize what we have experienced and to prepare us for what we will see tomorrow. We then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist, and to the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. 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.
Dinner and overnight: Moriah Classic Hotel, Jerusalem
Our day begins as we depart for the Dead Sea Region, the lowest place on earth. We ascend by cable car to the mountaintop 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 with praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Now it is time to enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float. Finally, we visit Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We travel northwest, towards Jerusalem for our farewell dinner and then on to the airport, to depart for our flight homeward. Important Note: Although the itinerary above obviously emphasizes the spiritual aspect of this marvelous country, our guides are also experts in, and passionate about, the miracle of the return of the Jews and the restoration of the state of Israel. This fact, along with many modern day topics (military, politics, education, and other cultural aspects), will be woven into the commentary in order to give you well-rounded information.
Arrive back in USA. The blessed memories last forever!
Begin planing you next Israel tour with Pastor Hendricks
Itinerary Subject to Change |
