Welcome to the Holy Land.

Visit the Roman aqueduct and theatre at Caesarea (Acts 8: 34-40; Acts 23: 12-35), a center of early Christianity and where Paul was imprisoned for two years. View Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1-46, Isaiah 35:1-2), and recall Elijah’s dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal. Follow an ancient caravan route through the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo (Revelation 16:12 - 16), an exciting archeological dig with layers of twenty different cities, all built on top of each other. Conclude your day in Nazareth (Matthew 2:19 - 23; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-4), Jesus’ boyhood home. Visit the Church of the Annunciation and the Place of the Precipice.

Cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee on a very special boat ride, complete with an onboard worship service. On the far shore of the Sea of Kursi is where Jesus cast out evil spirits from a demon-possessed man and sent them into a group of swine. The pigs ran violently down a steep hill and drowned in the sea (Luke 8:26-39). On the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-16), contemplate the text of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached there. Visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matt. 4:13, 23). Explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha (Matthew 14: 13-21; Luke 9: 9-17; John 6: 1-14), the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000. You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy, where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21).

At the ruins of Tel Dan (1 Kings 12: 28-30), see the altar built by King Jeroboam I and learn about where the “House of David” fragment from the First Temple Period was discovered. Continue on to Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20), where Peter told the Lord, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” A scenic drive along the Golan Heights will give you some beautiful views of Syria and Jordan, as well as Israel. Walk the streets of Chorazim, listed as a “city of woe” by Jesus (Matthew 11: 20-24; Luke 10: 13-15). See neighboring Bethsaida, where Jesus chose five of His disciples (Matthew 11:21; John 1:44; Mark 8: 22-26). Stop and see Wadi Hammon today as well.

Remember your baptism at the Yardenit Baptismal Site (Matthew 3: 13-17), where the Jordan River exits the Sea of Galilee on its journey southward. Explore the massive excavations at Beit Shean (1st Samuel 31: 10-12), a city continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, including when the Philistines hung the bodies of King Saul and his sons from its walls. Later known as Scythopolis, the ruins of this once opulent Roman city still impress visitors with its city streets, marble sidewalks, Roman public baths, and theater. Jacob’s Well, where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink and offered her “living water,” lies in the crypt of a modern Greek Orthodox church at Nablus (John 4: 4-15) in the West Bank. Explore the Israel Museum and its first-century model of the City of Jerusalem. Another highlight is the museum’s Shrine of the Book exhibit showcasing the Dead Sea Scroll book of Isaiah.

Head to Jericho (Joshua 6) to visit the ruins of the ancient city Joshua conquered. Off in the distance, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1). Enjoy a visit to Masada, the spectacular mountaintop fortress built by Herod that later became the final tragic stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore the fortress and look down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd. On the way to Jerusalem, stop at the shores of the Dead Sea (Numbers 34: 1-5), the lowest spot on earth, for an opportunity to take a quick dip in the mineral-laden waters.

In Bethlehem (Micah 5: 1-5), gaze out over Shepherds’ Field (Luke 2: 8-16) and visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace. The Church of the Nativity is built above the cave and is considered the world’s oldest functioning church (Matt. 1: 18-25). Visit a sheepfold and learn about shepherding. Travel to Bethany, where Jesus visited on several occasions and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11).

Visit Bethphage this morning. Stand on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14: 1-9) for a remarkable view of Jerusalem (the Golden City); Jesus stood here before ascending into heaven forty days after His resurrection. In the Kidron Valley across from the walls of Jerusalem, pray as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22: 39-54). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the Dormition Abbey, built to honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Recall the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Luke 22: 7-39). Look inside the place revered as the Tomb of King David. Walk through the rooms of the House of the High Priest Caiaphas (John 18: 13; 15-26), where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal. At the Garden Tomb (John 20), share communion together and experience the reality of the Resurrection (John 20).

Here, Jesus visited on several occasions, and raised Lazarus from the dead. 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. Spend time in prayer at the Western Wall (the only remnant of the Second Temple of Jerusalem) and sit on the Teaching Steps (Matthew 23: 1-37), where Jesus taught. See where Jesus healed on the Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) and sing in the Church of St. Anne. 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.

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