Description
March 22 -Depart the USA Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.
March 23 – Arrive in Israel Our representative will welcome you at the Tel Aviv airport and transfer you to your hotel in Tiberias to enjoy dinner before retiring for the night. Time permitting, visit Mount Carmel on the way north.
March 24 – Sea of Galilee Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the text of the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). Explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). See the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion three times to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.
March 25 – Northern Israel At the ruins of Tel Dan, see the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25-30) and learn about where the “House of David” fragment from the First Temple Period was discovered. Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter told the Lord, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” (Matt.16: 16). A scenic drive along the Golan Heights will give you some beautiful views of Syria and Jordan as well as Israel. Remember your baptism at the Yardenit Baptismal site, where the Jordan River exits the Sea of Galilee on its journey southward (Matt. 3).
March 26 – Dead Sea Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Then, travel to the rock fortress of Masada, the Zealot’s last stronghold against Rome. Proceed to Ein Gedi, where David spared the life of King Saul. Take in a panoramic view at the desert Oasis. Next, visit David’s valley, where David hid. Then, move along to Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Later on in the day, we will visit Tel Jericho, where the ancient city stood at the time of Joshua and view the Mount of Temptations.
March 27 – Bethlehem & City of David In Bethlehem, gaze out over Shepherds’ Field and visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace (Luke 2:1-20). Visit the Church of the Nativity, built above the cave and considered the world’s oldest functioning church (Luke 2). Wander through the excavations of the City of David. Explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel, an amazing engineering feat that was dug from both ends and met in the middle! (Note: Those who are claustrophobic may want to meet the group at the other end of the tunnel!). Visit the Pool of Siloam, recently uncovered at the foot of the city, and see what is possibly the Altar of Melchizedek.
March 28 – Jerusalem Stand on the Mount of Olives for a remarkable view of Jerusalem (the Golden City); Jesus stood here before ascending into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-12). In the Kidron Valley across from the walls of Jerusalem, pray as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matt. 26:57). Recall the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26). Spend time in prayer at the Western Wall (the only remnant of the Second Temple of Jerusalem) and sit on the Teaching Steps where Jesus taught.
March 29 – Jerusalem & Beit Guvrin Walk the Temple Mount (conditions permitting), once the site of the Temple of Solomon (II Chronicles 3) and home to the Dome of the Rock. See where Jesus healed on the Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-18). Walk the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (John 19), built over the traditional sites of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Visit the Garden Tomb and experience the reality of the Resurrection (John 20). After lunch, journey to the Bell Caves of Beit Guvrin, which housed homes, baths, and water cisterns during the Maccabean times.
March 30 – Return to the USA
