Experience Israel

Israel

EXPERIENCE

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

Join Pastor Tim & Colleen for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Holy Land!

Liquid Church is hosting a 1 0 -day tour of Israel– the perfect pilgrimage to revitalize & deepen your faith. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus as we visit key biblical sites including the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Mount Carmel, the Dead Sea, the Upper Room, the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb, and much more... experiencing history & watching the Bible come to life in 3D technicolor!

Scholars often describe Israel as the “Fifth Gospel”-- in addition to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the land itself testifies to the life and power of Jesus of Nazareth.

Ancient locations such as Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes, Jericho, En Gedi, and the Judean wilderness will spring to life in your mind’s eye and be etched permanently on your heart.

Pilgrims on this all-inclusive 1 0 -day experience will have the opportunity to: • Be baptized in the Jordan River

• Renew your Wedding Vows in Cana

• Sail on a boat on the Sea of Galilee

• Pray at the Western Wall

• Float and soak in the Dead Sea

• Walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering)

• Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane

• Worship at the Garden Tomb

The Lord leads His people to the Promised Land to transform them! During your pilgrimage, the Scriptures will spring to life as you walk where Jesus walked, taught, healed, and changed our world forever.

“Blessed are those whose streng th is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage… They go from streng th to streng th, till each appears before God in Zion.” - Psalm 84:5-7 Your hosts Pastor Tim & Colleen look forward to walking in the footsteps of Jesus with you. This pilgrimage is an immersive experience– expect your faith to be set on fire and transformed in ways you can’t imagine!

NEWARK TO TEL AVIV We’ll depart Newark Liberty Airport on a nonstop overnight flight to Israel. In ten hours, we’ll touch down in Tel Aviv– Israel’s largest city, a glittering metropolis stretched along the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. From here, we’ll begin our tour of the Holy Land seeing many of the sacred sites contained in these pages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS History, theology, and archaeology all intertwine to make Israel one of the most fascinating places on earth to explore! Some of the biblical sites we’ll visit include: BETHLEHEM 1-3

MAGDALA 56-59

BET SHEAN 4-6

MASADA 6 0 -63

CAESAREA MARITIMA 7-1 0

MEGIDDO 63-66

CAESAREA PHILLIPI 11-15

MOUNT CARMEL 67-68

CANA 16-18

MOUNT OF OLIVES 69-71

CAPERNAUM 19-23

NAZARETH 72-74

CHURCH OF BEATITUDES 24-26

QUMRAN 75-78

DEAD SEA 27-3 0

SEA OF GALILEE 79-8 0

EN GEDI 31-33

TABGHA 81-83

GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE 34-36

UPPER ROOM 84-86

GARDEN TOMB 37-4 0

VIA DOLOROSA 87-89

JERICHO 41-43

WESTERN WALL 9 0 -92

JERUSALEM 44-48

SHEMA 93-95

JORDAN RIVER 49-51 JUDEAN WILDERNESS 52-55

BETHLEHEM

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After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” - Mat thew 2:1-2

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The birthplace of our Savior Jesus Christ! Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in central West Bank, about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. Here we’ll tour the Church of the Nativity– the oldest Christian church in the world! Pilgrims come from all over the world to kneel down and access the sacred cave where tradition says Jesus was born.

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BET SHEAN

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This national park features the most complete reconstruction of an ancient Roman city in Israel. Bet Shean is a live archaeological dig where people have continuously lived for nearly 6, 000 years. As you explore, you can see remains of a 7, 000 seat theater, a bathhouse, and colonnaded, mosaic-covered sidewalks lining this ancient city.

Look carefully and you can glimpse the outline of a multi-seat, indoor bathroom with flowing water– considered cutting edge at the time!

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We will climb to the top of the tell using a set of stairs on the east side– prepare to be wowed by the view! To the east is a panoramic view of the Jordan Valley. To the west, you will be looking down into the archaeology of the ancient city itself.

In the Old Testament, Bet Shean was a Philistine city where the Philistines impaled the body of King Saul on the city wall to demonstrate the total defeat of Israel. They pu t Saul’s armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. - 1 Sam uel 31:1 0 In the New Testament, this was a Decapolis City from the time of Jesus. The grandeur and sophistication of the architecture was intended by Rome to communicate that its society, morals, and religion were superior to anything homegrown in Israel.

Imagine the challenge faced by the first followers of Jesus. They mainly came from the lowest rungs of the social ladder and humble fishing villages. Yet they claimed to know a better way to live in “the kingdom of God.” It’s a miracle that anyone in this region listened! Yet people did because despite its grand architecture - Bet Shean could not fill the spiritual void in their lives the way the Good News of Jesus did!

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CAESAREA MARITIMA 7

Caesarea Maritima is an ancient port city on the coast of the Mediterranean!

Herod the Great loved the art and culture of Europe. So the ambitious middle eastern king wanted a sea port to connect him with Rome and its luxury goods. Caesarea on the Sea was his answer. Herod built this 165acre city with architecture and materials imported from Europe between 22 and 1 0 BC. Herod named this sprawling sea port after his Roman patron to gain Caesar’s favor. Notice the columns influenced by Greco-Roman design. This ancient city felt like Rome away from Rome.

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Here we will tour the ruins of King Herod’s opulent seaside palace and pools, the hippodrome (an athletic venue for horse & chariot races), and the restored Roman theater where modern concerts are still held today.

When Herod died, Rome began to rule Israel with European governors like Pontius Pilate who used the city as the regional seat of government.

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Be sure to inspect the stone with carved inscriptions of “Caesar Tiberius” and “Pontius Pilate.” Caesarea Maritima is the birthplace of Gentile (non-Jewish) Christianity– in Acts, the Lord called Peter here to tell Gentiles about Jesus (A cts 1 0 :1-48).

The apostle Paul was also detained here for two years before sailing to Rome and spreading the Gospel to Europe!

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CAESAREA PHILLIPI 11

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” - Mat thew 16:13

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Natural beauty and Biblical insight come together at this ancient GrecoRoman city (also known as Banias or Paneas). During Jesus’ day, Gentiles lived here and worshiped their pagan deities at the base of the cliff ahead of you. Herod Agrippa built the Temple of Augustus here and named it Caesarea Philippi.

Jesus made a very important trip here: He came to have a conversation about who he was and what he came to do, asking his disciples “Wh o do you say I am?” Pe ter answered, “You are th e Messiah, th e Son of th e Living God” (Ma t tew 16:13-2 0 ).

This bold confession of faith was praised by Jesus and he used this location to make his point memorable. Look up at the massive stone cliff of Mount Hermon (23 0 feet long and 131 feet tall)– which powerfully dominates the landscape and cannot be moved. With this mountain as a backdrop, Jesus gave Simon the name Peter or “rock” (Petros)... or better here “the cliff!” Like Peter, all who confess Jesus as their Messiah will become like this stone cliff— like Mount Hermon— immovable in a pagan world!

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Jesus was using geography to draw a sharp contrast about the nature of his church. At the time, gentiles worshiped the Greek god Pan whose pagan idol stood carved into the niches cut in the cliff face. Can you see the remains of the Temple of Zeus? Notice the giant cave entrance (66 feet wide) which, during Bible times, was the exit point for a spring of bubbling water. This mysterious flow of underground water caused pagan worshipers to view the cave mouth as the Gateway to Hades (the Underworld in Greek mythology).

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In response to Peter’s confession, Jesus said: “On this rock I will build my ch urch, an d th e ga tes of Hades will n o t overcom e it” (Ma t t 16:18).

Even though paganism dominated the ancient landscape– much like our modern one– Jesus improbably claimed that Christianity would outlast & ultimately overcome these spiritual forces of darkness!

2, 000 years later, we name our dogs Zeus and our sons Peter.

From here, Jesus started his last trip to Jerusalem.

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CANA

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Mazel Tov on your wedding day! The village of Cana is the traditional site of Jesus’ first miracle— turning water into wine to rescue a poor couple’s wedding (John 2:1-12). At this site, married couples will have the opportunity to renew their Wedding Vows in a short ceremony officiated by a Liquid Pastor. Pilgrims may also purchase Cana wedding wine to use for Communion.

Wha t Jesus did h ere in Cana of Galilee was th e firs t of th e signs through which h e revealed his glory; an d his disciples believed in him. - John 2:11

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CAPERNAUM

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A few days la ter, wh en Jesus again en tered Capernaum, th e people h eard tha t h e had com e h om e. - Mark 2:1

Where did Jesus live and do ministry? After he left Nazareth, Jesus settled in Capernaum– a small fishing village that served as the hub of his teaching and healing ministry. Here, you will walk where Jesus literally walked and sit on ancient stones that heard the Savior’s voice. Along the shore of this fishing village is where Jesus called his first four disciples: James, John, Peter, and Andrew (Ma t t 4:18-22).

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In Capernaum, you will step foot into the first-century synagogue that Jesus taught & healed in (Mark 1:2128). Think about it: You are stepping on stones that heard our Savior’s voice!

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Capernaum also is the traditional site of the apostle Peter’s home where Jesus stayed, ministered, and performed multiple miracles (Mat t 8:14-17).

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CHURCH OF BEATITUDES

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Blessed are th e poor in spirit… Blessed are th e peacemakers… What was it like to hear Jesus preach?

Beautiful gardens mark the traditional location where Jesus gave his most famous sermon– the Sermon on the Mount (Ma t th ew 5-7). The Church of the Beatitudes is a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Beatitudes by the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum in Israel. Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, notice that the elegant chapel here has eight sides– each with a stained glass window dedicated to one of the eight Beatitudes (or blessings) in Latin.

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DEAD SEA

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Come get your float on! The Dead Sea is the lowest place on the planet (1,3 00 feet below sea level)-- the deepest tear in the earth’s surface. The water is hyper salinated– nearly 9 times the salt content of the ocean– so it’s impossible to drown or swim… you can only float!

Because of the high salt concentration, nothing can live in this water… but it’s safe & fun to float in!

The Dead Sea was formed thousands of years ago when two tectonic plates, the African & Arabian, parted company. Water arrives in the basin via the Jordan River and is shared today by both Israel & Jordan.

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The Bible mentions this unique body of water under a variety of names including Salt sea, Eastern sea, and Sea of the Arabah. This is the dead water prophesied to come to life in Ezekiel 47:8-12. In this vision, Ezekiel sees a river flowing from the temple in Jerusalem. It flows into the Dead Sea and dramatically changes the ecosystem– the lifeless water transforms into a life-giving lake brimming with fish, fruit trees, and new life! This is a prophetic picture of the healing and restoration that God will bring when Jesus returns.

People come from all over the world to visit the Dead Sea for the therapeutic value of its hyper salinated water and special mud.

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EN GEDI

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En Gedi is a beautiful oasis in the Judean wilderness. David hid in the rugged caves that pockmark these limestone cliffs as the murderous King Saul hunted him like a dog in the desert. How did David survive in this dry & barren landscape? Let’s hike up to discover David’s secret source— a stream of cascading water & spectacular waterfall!

“O God, you are my God, earn es tly I seek you; my soul thirs ts for you…in a dry an d weary lan d wh ere th ere is n o wa ter.” - Psalm 63:1

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En Gedi is now a 25 0 -acre nature reserve with hiking trails that lead to sublime views, desert fauna, & beautiful waterfalls. Solomon used this dramatic setting to celebrate married love: “My beloved is to m e a clus ter of h enna blossoms from th e vin eyards of En Gedi.”

- Song of Songs 1:14 This wilderness oasis also inspired many of the Psalms that David wrote– describing God as his “rock… refuge… hiding place… fortress… stronghold.” Find a quiet spot in En Gedi to read Psalms 63 & 57.

The language of these desert psalms reveal the powerful influence of this remarkable oasis!

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GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE 34

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” - Mat thew 26:36 35

Gethsemane (Hebrew for “olive press”) is a beautiful olive garden with trees that are almost a thousand years old. Here, olives were crushed & pressed 3 times to get the rich oil out. In Bible times, oil was used for cooking, medicine, as well as anointing kings!

In Gethsemane, Jesus was crushed under the heavy burden of his coming crucifixion (Ma t t 26:36-56). As he agonized and prayed 3 times, Jesus was pressed so hard by thoughts of his impending death that his sweat was like drops of blood (L uke 22:44). In this garden, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested, and deserted by his disciples.

And the wheels of Christ’s crucifixion were set in motion.

Gethsemane is a sacred place for contemplation, worship, and communion.

As you walk among the ancient olive trees, take some time to reflect on what Jesus went through to bring salvation to you!

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GARDEN TOMB 37

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Th e angel said to th e wom en, “Do n o t be afraid, for I kn ow tha t you are looking for Jesus, wh o was crucified. He is n o t h ere; h e has risen, jus t as h e said. Com e an d see th e place wh ere h e lay.” - Ma t th ew 28:5-6 The Garden Tomb (Gordon’s Calvary) is an alternative traditional site connected to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is often preferred by Protestants for its peaceful garden setting versus the often noisy, cluttered Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

The Bible says Jesus was taken outside the city gates & crucified at Golgotha: Carrying his own cross, h e wen t ou t to th e place of th e Skull (which in A ramaic is called Golgo tha). - John 19:17 In 1883, British general Charles Gordon looked at the side of the hill in this garden park and saw eroded features that resembled the eye sockets, nose, and mouth of a human skull. Because it was overlooking a garden with an authentic tomb cut out at its base, Gordon concluded that this was Golgotha, “th e place of th e Skull” (Ma t t 27:33).

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As you examine the empty tomb found here, meditate on God’s greatest miracle of all: Jesus isn’t here… He is risen, just as He said! And you will be raised too– Jesus’ resurrection guarantees His followers will be resurrected!

Bu t Chris t has in deed been raised from th e dead, th e firs tfruits of th ose wh o have fallen asleep. For sin ce dea th cam e through a man, th e resurrection of th e dead com es also through a man. For as in A dam all die, so in Chris t all will be made alive. Bu t each in turn: Chris t, th e firs tfruits; th en, wh en h e com es, th ose wh o belong to him. 1 Corin thians 15:2 0 -23 What an incredible hope we have! This is the perfect place to read the dramatic conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel: Ma t t 27:4 5-56 (Th e Dea th of Jesus); Ma t t 27:57-66 (Th e Burial of Jesus); Ma t t 28:1-1 0 (Th e Resurrection of Jesus). Rejoice… th e tomb is emp ty!

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JERICHO

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Joshua fought the battle of Jericho… and the walls came tumbling down! Jericho is the oldest city in the world, dating back to 8 000 BC. It is most famous as the location where Joshua brought down the city walls with the blowing of his horn (Josh ua 6). This oasis in the Judean wilderness was a winter resort for the rich and famous, including Herod the Great who had his winter palace here.

Zacchaeus come down! In the Gospels, Jesus visited Jericho and transformed the lives of two men– blind Bartimaeus (Mark 1 0 :46-52) and Zacchaeus, the short tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see Him (L uke 19:1-9). Today, guests can feast on falafel and delicious date palms, a speciality of Jericho’s bustling marketplace.

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JERUSALEM

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Welcome to the Holy City! Jerusalem is the biblical and modern capital city of Israel– home to the Israeli parliament (Knesset) and the President’s Residence. One of the most extraordinary cities in the world, Jerusalem was established by King David 3, 000 years ago and is one of the oldest cities on earth. It is a dazzling city where old and new, holy and secular, rustic nature and modern architecture blend together into a colorful tapestry of sounds and senses.

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Jerusalem is considered a holy city for the world’s three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Global visitors are captivated by the shining glow of its religious shrines, picturesque scenery, and magnificent golden limestone. Top attractions include the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the citadel (known as the Tower of David), and the Old City.

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Be sure to experience the Old City, which has been traditionally divided into four quarters—known since the early 19th century as the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters. In the bustling marketplace, you will discover street merchants selling scarves, flutes, fruit, and religious icons… as well as delicious choices for your next meal!

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JORDAN RIVER

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Th en Jesus cam e from Galilee to th e Jordan to be bap tized by John.

- Ma t th ew 3:13 Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River… and you can be too! At this sacred site, Christian pilgrims come from all around the world to follow their Savior into the waters of baptism (Ma t th ew 3:13-16). Liquid Pastors will be performing baptisms for anyone on the tour who desires to renew their commitment & publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ!

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JUDEAN WILDERNESS 52

Th en Jesus was led by th e Spirit in to th e wildern ess to be temp ted by th e devil.

A fter fas ting forty days an d forty nigh ts, h e was h ungry. - Ma t th ew 4:1-2 The Judean Wilderness is an austere and forbidding desert region between Jerusalem and Jericho. It is full of craggy cliffs that plunge down into narrow twisting roads. Jesus was led here by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. In the Scriptures, the desert is a place of testing (OT = Israel; NT = Jesus) and designed to deepen our trust & dependence on the Lord.

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Old Jericho Road Jesus based his Parable of the Good Samaritan (L uke 1 0 :25-37) on the old Roman road that winds from Jerusalem to Jericho. In Bible times, societal outcasts lived out here-- robbers, revolutionaries, and ascetics. Along the way, you can see many hideouts and blind turns perfect for thieves looking to ambush unsuspecting travelers.

Today, you may encounter members of the Bedouin tribe (sons of the desert)– Muslim gypsies who live in the Judean desert. They are nomadic and eek out subsistence living by selling dates, nuts, fruit, rugs, and camel bone jewelry.

Wadi Qelt One of the most stunning sights is the Monastery of Saint George– an ancient monastery carved into a sheer rock wall in the Judean desert.

Located in a deep and narrow gorge called Wadi Qelt, this desert monastery was first established in AD 5 00 and is actively inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks. This striking cliffside complex can be reached by a pedestrian bridge across Wadi Qelt, which many believe to be Psalm 23’s “valley of the shadow of death.”

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MAGDALA

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Jesus sent the people home, and he got into a boat and crossed over to the region of Magdala.

- Mat thew 15:39 (KJ V)

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History under your feet! Magdala is an ancient city on the shore of the Sea of Galilee with a recent archaeological discovery. When excavation began in 2 00 9 for a Catholic retreat center, no one could have imagined what God had in store. As workers began to dig the foundation, they discovered a first-century synagogue where it is certain that Jesus taught.

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As archaeologists continued to dig, they discovered an entire first century Jewish town lying just below the surface. Magdala was the hometown of Mary Magdalene “out of whom (Jesus) had driven seven demons” (Mark 16:9). Magdala also features an elegant seaside church called Duc In Altum (Latin: “pu t ou t in to th e deep”, L uke 5:4)-- a deeply sacred place for pilgrims to worship and reflect on the incredible Gospel mosaics located in the Women’s Atrium and Boat Chapel.

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MASADA

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Natural beauty, stunning architecture, and human tragedy collide on the mesa called Masada. This 4 0 -acre mesa rises 1,4 00 feet above its surroundings and is guarded by sheer rock walls. Its name means “fortress” and that is the role it played for both Herod the Great and the Jewish resisters who held out here during the First Jewish Revolt against Rome.

Herod the Great used the natural defenses of this butte as the foundation for building a luxury palace and lookout station that doubled as a safe house to which he could flee if his relationship fell apart with his Jewish subjects or with his Roman patrons. While ordinary peasants made do with dirt floors, Herod installed mosaic floors and elaborate bathhouses in the Western Palace.

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But Masada was about more than luxury; it was about survival. After the Romans defeated Jerusalem in AD 7 0 , some of the Jewish soldiers fled to Masada with their families. The Roman general, Silva, ordered the construction of a siege ramp on the west side of Masada to bring his battering ram and mobile assault tower to bear on the defensive walls.

As the Romans prepared for the assault on Masada, the Jewish families executed an unthinkable plan. According to the historian Josephus, all of the 967 Jewish men, women, and children committed mass suicide rather than being taken captive by the Romans. This is the powerful story that informs the spirit of Jewish nationalism, which asserts that Masada will never fall again.

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MEGIDDO

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A bloody past… but a victorious future! Tel Megiddo is the site of the ancient city of Megiddo, the remains of which form a tell (archaeological dig), situated in northern Israel. Megiddo is known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance, especially under its Greek name Armageddon. In Hebrew, the name is translated HAR (Mount) MEGIDDO (slaughter). Armageddon is literally, the Mount of Slaughter!

Although Tel Megiddo is a beautiful national park today, it has a bloodsoaked history. It is one of the most strategic locations in the world— providing a land bridge between the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Throughout antiquity, kings & armies have fought on and over this vast plain, spilling blood and human lives (2 Kings 23:29).

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In Revelation, the apostle John predicts that “the kings of the world” who oppose the Lord will eventually gather their forces for war here: Th en th ey ga th ered th e kings toge th er to th e place tha t in Hebrew is called A rmageddon. - Rev 16:16 But Scripture promises Jesus will return with the armies of heaven to destroy God’s enemies and claim ultimate victory (Rev 19:11-21). This is the hope Christ followers have for the future— no matter how dark our world gets, the ultimate triumph of Jesus is assured!

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MOUNT CARMEL 67

Lord, let your fire fall! Mount Carmel is where the prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven during his dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Set in northern Israel, this is a coastal mountain range with beautiful views of the Valley of Jezreel and a quiet monastery for worship & reflection.

Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, th e God of A braham, Isaac an d Israel, le t it be kn own today tha t you are God in Israel… A nswer m e, Lord, answer m e, so th ese people will kn ow tha t you, Lord, are God, an d tha t you are turning th eir h earts back again.” - 1 Kings 18:26-37

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MOUNT OF OLIVES 69

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Look out over the Holy City! The Mount of Olives is a 2-mile long ridge that offers the best panoramic views of ancient Jerusalem. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode down the Mount of Olives into the city (Ma t th ew 21:1-11) on a donkey. This key location is where Jesus took the disciples after their Last Supper (Passover); where he was arrested (Gethsemane); where Jesus ascended to heaven (L uke 24:5 0 -51); and where He is prophesied to return (A cts 1:6-11)!

Located on the Mount of Olives is a Jewish Cemetery where hundreds of rich Jewish people are buried facing the East Gate of the city, which is currently sealed shut. In Ezekiel 44:1-3, there is a prophecy that the “prince” of the Lord will return and go in & out of this gate… and the dead will be raised. These Jewish people want to be first in line!

Their feet are facing east so that when Messiah comes, they will go into the city with him.

Praise God, Messiah has already come in the person of Jesus! At the Garden Tomb, Jesus conquered death forever and is now the “firstfruits” of the resurrection, guaranteeing we will rise as well. Jesus was resurrected first… then us, when He returns!

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NAZARETH

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In th e six th m on th of Elizabe th’s pregnan cy, God sen t th e angel Gabriel to Nazare th, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man nam ed Joseph, a descen dan t of David. Th e virgin’s nam e was Mary. - L uke 1:26-27 Nazareth is the hometown of Mary and Joseph, the very place they encountered angelic messengers who told the young couple that they would be the parents of Jesus (Ma t t 1:18-25; L uke 1:26-38). This is the modest village where Jesus played, matured, and learned a trade until he left at the age of thirty. Today Nazareth is a large, modern Arabic city of over 1 00 , 000 with Jews, Muslims, and Christians all living together!

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QUMRAN

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Discovery in the desert! In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd was looking for a lost goat that had wandered off into the surrounding cliffs. Spying a curious crevice in the hills, he threw a stone into the cave opening and heard a crash. Crawling inside, he spied large clay jars hidden in the cave. Inside the jars, he discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls– a priceless collection of handwritten Old Testament manuscripts!

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A community called the Essenes lived here– a very strict monastic group who withdrew from Jerusalem because of cultural corruption. Here in the desert, they meticulously copied Hebrew manuscripts– the scroll of Isaiah discovered here is over 1, 000 years older than the previous oldest known copy!

The Essenes were obsessed with water— ritually purifying themselves up to 5 times a day to be ready for the Day of the Lord. Here you can examine the ritual baths and giant cisterns that hold up to 3 million gallons of water.

Because of the connection to bathing in water, some scholars speculate that John the Baptist spent time here. In L uke 3:1-18, John the Baptist is described as “a voice of on e calling in th e wildern ess preparing th e way for th e Lord,” confronting corruption, calling for repentance, and preaching about baptism!

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SEA OF GALILEE 79

All aboard! Here we’ll hop aboard a fishing boat for a peaceful ride across the most famous lake in the Gospels! The Sea of Galilee (also known as the Lake of Tiberias or Gennesaret) is 7.5 miles long, 13 miles wide, and about 155 feet deep. As we worship together on the water, be sure to soak in the spiritual significance of this sacred site. You are sailing on the same lake where Jesus stilled the storm (Mark 4:35-41), walked on water (Ma t t 14:22-33), and provided a miraculous catch of fish (L uke 5:1-11)!

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TABGHA

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Imagine feeding 5, 000 people? Tabgha is the traditional site of one of Jesus’ most famous miracles– where the Lord multiplied five loaves and two fishes to miraculously feed a hungry crowd of 5, 000 people! Apart from the Resurrection, this is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels (Ma t t 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44; L uke 9:1 0 -17; John 6:1-13). Colorful Byzantine mosaics include the basket of bread and fish located in front of the church’s altar.

Located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, Tabgha is also where tradition says Jesus re-appeared to his scattered disciples following His Resurrection– performing a miraculous catch of fish and restoring Peter to leadership (John 21:1-23).

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UPPER ROOM

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Th en th e apos tles re turn ed to Jerusalem from th e hill called th e Moun t of Olives, a Sabba th day’s walk from th e city. Wh en th ey arrived, th ey wen t ups tairs to th e room wh ere th ey were s taying. - A cts 1:12-13 This is the traditional location in Jerusalem where Jesus met his disciples and shared their last meal together-- the Jewish Passover meal that became Christian Communion (Ma t t 26:17-3 0 ). Jesus initiated the Lord’s Supper, a meal that marks the transition between Old & New Testaments and speaks powerful words of forgiveness into our lives.

In AD 348, Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem, declared that the room where Jesus instituted the Last Supper was also the same place where He appeared to the disciples following His resurrection (John 2 0 :19-29). The disciples may also have been meeting & praying here (A cts 1:12-14) on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended with tongues of fire and they began speaking in foreign languages as pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost (A cts 2:1-13). In other words, the first Spirit-filled church started in this room & ignited the Gospel’s journey to the ends of the earth!

Over the centuries, the Upper Room has changed hands and gone through many changes. Do you see the stained glass windows with Arabic writing?

In 1524, invading Turks converted the Crusader church into a mosque to honor the prophet David. Today, people of all faiths (Jewish, Christian, and Muslim) are welcome here!

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VIA DOLOROSA 87

Th en Jesus said to his disciples, “Wh oever wan ts to be my disciple m us t deny th emselves an d take up th eir cross an d follow m e.” - Ma t th ew 16:24 The Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) is the traditional route Jesus walked in the final hours of his life, carrying his Cross on the way to His death & resurrection.

Fourteen stations mark critical moments in the last hours of Jesus’ journey to the Cross– some are historical (ie: Mark 15:21-22), others are based on later tradition.

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The current route winds through the streets of the Old City and ends in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher– the oldest traditional site claiming to be Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified and buried. Believers from all over the world travel to Jerusalem to make this devotional walk in order to identify with their Savior’s suffering & sacrifice for them.

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Jesus answered th em, “Des troy this temple, an d I will raise it again in three days.” - John 2:19 The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) is the most sacred spot on earth for observant Jews. It’s an outdoor synagogue where the modern Jewish community worships near the spot on which the Old Testament Temple stood.

The wall itself is a massive retaining wall built in the time of Herod the Great— it was the base that held the Temple in place. When the Romans destroyed the Temple in AD 7 0 , they destroyed everything– except this retaining wall. In essence, it’s the one original element of the first-century Temple complex that remains to this day. It is called the “wailing wall” because when Jews sorrowfully remember how the Temple was destroyed, the faithful should weep & wail.

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Orthodox Jews consider this site sacred and come here to pray & read Scriptures—believing the Divine Presence never left this wall. As you explore, you may see worshipers wearing tefillin (cubic black leather boxes with leather straps that Orthodox Jewish men wear on their head and their arm during prayer), bobbing as they read from the Torah, or writing prayers on small scraps of paper and sticking them in the cracks between the rocks.

This is a place to pray & worship. Go to the wall and thoughtfully read the prayer that Solomon offered at the dedication of the first Temple (2 Chronicles 6:1-42). If you choose, you can join the thousands who have written out a personal prayer and placed it in a crack in the wall, leaving it before the Lord, whose presence surely lingers here.

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SHEMA The Shema prayer is one of the most famous prayers in the Bible. It was a daily prayer for ancient Israelites and is still recited by Jewish people today. We first find this prayer in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy.

The Shema gets its name from the first Hebrew word of the prayer— ”hear” or “listen”, a translation of the Hebrew word sh ema.

Ancient Jewish people prayed these words every morning and every evening. This prayer has been one of the most influential traditions in Jewish history, functioning both as the Jewish pledge of allegiance and a hymn of praise.

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Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your streng th.

- Deu teronomy 6:4-5

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The Shema was formative for Jesus, and he drew upon it in his teachings.

When he was asked which command in the Torah was the greatest, Jesus answered, “Th e m os t importan t on e is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: Th e Lord our God, th e Lord is on e. Love th e Lord your God with all your h eart an d with all your soul an d with all your min d an d with all your s treng th.’ Th e secon d is this: ‘Love your n eighbor as yourself.’ Th ere is n o comman dm en t grea ter than th ese.” (Mark 12:29-31) The Shema is a beautiful prayer. There’s a reason why God’s people have been praying these words for millennia. They are simple words with the capacity to reshape the course of an entire people. Praying the Shema can keep God’s love and loyalty in the forefront of our minds and drive us toward obedience—not out of religious ritual, but out of love for Christ!

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For Holy Land Tour details, please visit LiquidChurch.com/Israel