This is Jesus Prophet of Nazareth in Galilee
A Tour of the Holy Land
“He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” TIM 3:16
Day 1 – Welcome to the Holy Land Today you embark on a journey both physically and spiritually. Walking in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to gain a better understanding of his life, his teachings and our own road to salvation. Landing in Ben-Gurion Airport you will be greeted by our staff and together head out to your hotel. The Seasons Hotel Netanya is a boutique hotel located along the coast and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel, perched on an elevated cliff, offers a soothing panoramic view of Netanya's enchanting beaches that will allow you to rest from the flight, before embarking on your exciting adventure into the past.
“Now it came about in those days...” LUKE 2:1
Day 2 – A Journey to the Past “Now it came about in those days” (2:1). How simply the story begins, yet how immense the influence it has had on mankind. What were “those days” like? What unique set of historical, political and religious circumstances were significant to the birth of our Savior? We start of at Ceasrea, this sea-side marvel is nothing short of a gigantic time capsule from the days of Herod the great. As we stroll through the ruins of a hippodrome, temple and theatre we will understand what political turbulence Jesus was born into and how eventually it would play a role in his violent demise. We will enjoy a time travel light show, thrusting us through 3000 years of history through the eyes of an ancient port city. We drive to Nazereth, now an Arab city it was once a Jewish village under Roman Rule. We will see the site of the Annunciation where Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus. We will visit a reconstruction of Christ’s childhood streets and find the influences and inspiration that spawned a new faith.
“And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything MARK 11:11
Day 4 – Jerusalem – Christ’s Final Hour The divine magnificence of Jerusalem has such an overwhelming effect on people that it has been known to trigger religious epiphanies. Just as Jesus walked first to the Holy Temple so shall we. Today we will travel to the Western Wall which still stands as a remnant of this once glorious place of god. We will leave our prayers neatly folded and tucked in-between the 2000 year old stone walls. We will walk the streets of stone to the miraculous Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a bed ridden man, and enabled him to walk. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked" - John 5:1-9 Our next stop is the Via Dolorosa where we will walk on the very stones on which Jesus took his final steps as a mortal being. The end of this pebbled road is truly the beginning of our salvation. Here at the Holy Sepulcher the lord gave his only son to deliver us from our sins.
“...behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying,Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” MATHEW 2:1
Day 5 – Jewish Life Jerusalem is believed to be a city in the heavens but it is underground where it holds its truly magnificent ancient treasures. Beneath the bustling city streets lay the timeless passageways that lead into the past to the kingdom of David and Solomon. We will emerge in the southern excavations 500 years later when Herod ruled the land. Here we will see a 3D model of the city as it once was, vibrant and holy with god’s temple at its core. We will see the site of the second temple and visit the Dome of the Rock with its golden dome that dominates the skyline it marks the original site of the holy of holies. From here the world was created and Isaac was bound by Abraham as the ultimate sacrifice to god. In the Jewish Quarter we delve into our religious roots by visiting a synagogue that dates back to the time of the second temple.
“For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” LUKE 11
Day 6 – Spread the Good Word Some believe the epic of tribulations prophesized by Jesus had already arrived in the 20th century. Yad Vashem, the world renowned WWII museum has been visited by nearly all the world's leaders. Like the good word, the lessons of history, xenophobia and genocide point out the necessity for tolerance and love. This message is as relevant today as it ever was. The Jews have constantly been persecuted. Such was the case when Joseph and Mary heard of Herod’s plan to kill every new born infant. According to Mathew they fled to Egypt stopping on their way in Bethlehem where Jesus would be born. We enter Bethlehem’s Mager square and can immediately spot the church of nativity standing over the cave where Jesus took his very first breath. From the cave of Nativity we will continue to the cave where St. Jerome inspired by divine presence translated the New Testament from Greek to Latin, thus enabling the good word to spread throughout the world.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom...” MARK 13:8
Day 7 – the Apocalypse The Mount of Olives is not only an ancient burial ground; it is a panoramic vantage point that overlooks the whole of Jerusalem. The clean mountain air and smell of pines provokes a feeling of vitality. Perhaps it was no coincidence that Jesus chose this setting, somewhere between the living and the dead for his Olivet Discourse. Here Jesus foretold the end of the world warning us of great tribulations before the triumph of the kingdom of god. We drive past the desert landscape to Messada. The Jewish people that had once settled this desert fortress were proud and zealous. They believed in an apocalyptic end that would follow a battle between good and evil. Their ideas would have an effect on Christianity and on Judaism. For them their last battle occurred here on this scorched earth. With the Roman siege closing tightly around them they took their own lives – What was their message in their last troughs? We drive further into the desert. In its dry and lifeless heart lays a spring in the known as Ein Gedi where David hid from Saul and his prophecy. From there we drop in altitude. The Dead Sea is a salty oasis and the lowest place on earth. The minerals in the mud and waters are said to have miraculous medicinal powers. The waters are heavy from salt and minerals and will allow us an enjoyable effortless floating experience – almost like walking on water.
"Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." MATTHEW 28:10
Day 8- Resurrection and Ascension According to some Christian scriptures, Jesus appeared before two of his followers in Emmaus after his resurrection. We will visit the ancient town with its 2000 year old Aqueduct. The two followers ran back to Jerusalem to tell people of what they have seen. While describing the events, Jesus appeared again to all who were there, giving them a commission to evangelize. Then he took them out as far as Bethany and blessed them before ascending back into heaven. We will ascend back home.