Here is an old itinerary to give you an idea of what the program is like.
Some links may be dead. I'll replace them when I get a chance.
*Interactive Itinerary 1999
ALL ITINERARIES SUBJECT TO CHANGECheck out the website for Bert's new book: Jesus Unplugged
| Click blue underlined words for a photo or
link
DEPARTURE 1. Domestic flights to New York, and
international flight out of JFK on EL
AL THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST 1. Arrival Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv 2. Transport to The Sea of Galilee {Kibbutz
En Gev or Royal
Plaza} HILLS AND PLAINS OF LOWER GALILEE 1. Sepphoris /Zippori -Proximity of Greek culture to Nazareth---three short miles; Herod's capital during Jesus' growing-up years; The Mishna written here; A 1st century Jewish presence in Sepphoris; One of the traditional sites for Mary's birth; Understanding the etymology of the word Nazareth; Nazareth; Rejection in Nazareth synagogue (Lk 4:16-30); Nathaniel story (Jn 1:43-51); How can Messiah be from Nazareth? (Jn 7:40-51) Try this Zippori site. And this one too. Here's a photo taken of the hill and Citadel of Zippori from Nazareth. 2. Megiddo -Armageddon, or in Hebrew, Har Megiddo, means "Mountain of Megiddo." One of the most important locations in the ancient world militarily/ strategically/economically. It dates back to 4000 BCE. David made it an Israelite city, and Solomon refortified it. There are city gates from different periods; Egyptian, Canaanite, Philistine, and Israelite pottery; an ancient Canaanite altar; and a large complex of stables(?). Try this Megiddo site too. (Judg 1:27; 5:19; 1 Kings 9:15; 2 Chr 35:22; Zech 12:12; Rev 16:16) Nice photos at this site 3. Caesarea -- a minor lecture stop -Impressive ruins of Herod the Great's manmade harbor and city. It was in the 1st century one of the largest ports in the world. Caesarea became the seat of Roman government in Palestine. Pontius Pilate lived here, as a stone tablet bearing his name found here testifies. Philip preached here. Paul was imprisoned and tried here. Peter baptized Cornelius here. (Acts 8:40; 9:30; 10:1-9, 23-48; 12:18-19; 21:8; 23:23, 31-33; 25:1-12; & others) Nice photos here 4. Nazareth
-An archeological stop: 1st century caves beneath Church of the
Annunciation; Private museum MOUNTAINS OF EXTREME NORTHERN ISRAEL 1. Hazor -An extensive, ancient Canaanite city of northern Galilee, conquered by Joshua in Israel's northern conquest. Solomon later refortified it, and Omri expanded it. (Josh 11:11-13; Judg 4:2; 1 Kings 9:15; 2 Kings 15:29) 2. Caesarea Philippi /Banias -Or Banyas, which is a corruption of Panias or Panyas, where during Roman times they worshiped the Greek god Pan. Found there are extensive ruins of several periods, including Canaanite and Roman. This place is an important New Testament site because it was called in Jesus' day Caesarea Philippi, the place where Peter confessed Jesus to be the Messiah. The Cave of Pan, which dominates the foot of Mount Hermon at Banias, was known as a passageway to Hades. (Mt 16:13-18) Try HERE too. 3. Dan
-Also called Leshem or Laish, near the modern Israel-Lebanon-Syria
border. Symbolic northernmost border of Israel. Jeroboam 1 established a
worship center
here. Omri and Ahab both rebuilt here. The temple complex of Jeroboam is
extraordinary. Also, there is an actual "Seat of the King" in
an Iron Age gate that is equally impressive. But the real heart-stopper
is the Middle Bronze Canaanite
mud-brick gate from the time of Abraham. Abraham himself could have
passed through it on his journey from Haran. Finally, in 1993, a 9th
century B.C.E. inscription was found here that refers to the "House
of David," verifying the historicity of King David from a
non-Biblical source. Interestingly, this significant archaeological site
is in a beautiful, lush nature reserve. (Judg 18:1; 20:1; 2
Sam 3:10; 17:11; 2 Chr 16:4) FIRST DAY AROUND THE SEA 1. Chorazin -Near 1st century ruins in the hills just north of Capernaum, overlooking the Sea. Jesus condemns this town along with Capernaum and Bethsaida, which suggests that he spent considerable time doing ministry here. There are ruins of a large 1st-4th century synagogue, & some 1st century insula or homes. (Mt 11:21; Lk 10:13) 2. Capernaum -Jesus' home and headquarters during his Galilean ministry. A 1st century dwelling is there that has become known as St. Peter's House. Archeological evidence seems to indicate that this was an extremely early place of Christian worship. Nearby, the ruins of a 4th century synagogue built on the foundation of a synagogue from the time of Jesus, undoubtedly the same synagogue Jesus worshiped, taught and healed in. (Mt 4:12-16; 8:5; Mk 1:21; 2:1; Lk 4:23, 31:-41; 7:1; 10:13-15; Jn 4:46; 6:17, 24, 59; & others) 3. The So-called "Jesus Boat" -A first century boat was excavated near Magdala in 1986. It is preserved today at Kibbutz Ginnosar. A video is provided in the museum. 4. Mount of Beatitudes -Area also known as Tabga or Heptapegon, is associated with three events from Jesus' life and ministry near the Sea of Galilee: The Sermon on the Mount, the Feeding of the 5000, and the story in John 21 where the risen Christ prepares breakfast for his disciples. (Mt 5-7;14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-14; 21) 5. Eremos Heights and Cave -- Sunset over The Sea (a beautiful hike down from the traditional Mount of Beatitudes to Eremos); Sermon on Mount (Mt 5:1-7:28); time for communion and private meditation 6. Tabgha 7. Twilight Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (weather permitting, we might do this first thing in the morning) Nice photos 8. Evening in Tiberias
to celebrate New Year (Free day tomorrow, so don't worry about late
hour) FREE DAY A FREE DAY: Rest and walk at the Kibbutz or
hotel if you like. Take a taxi to downtown Tiberias to sightsee and
shop. It's your day to do whatever you like! Keep in mind that it's
Shabbat (sabbath) until sundown. A nice way to begin a new century and a
new millennium. ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG AT BETHSAIDA 1. Kursi -- a geographical stop - An early Byzantine Monastery remembers the story of "Legion" (Mk 5) 2. Bethsaida
-A full day archeological dig. Bethsaida means "House of the
Fisher," and was home to Philip, Andrew, Peter. Ongoing
archaeological excavations there reveal surprises every season. This is
the best place to see an excavation that is newly underway--no parks or
churches, just the ruins of a town Jesus frequented emerging from the
digs. The 1st century north-south road there is one of the few places
where one can say with certainty that Jesus walked here. Most recent
exciting find is the Bull
Stella and the Iron Age Gate. (Mt 11:21; Mk 6:4-6; Lk 9:10; 10:13;
Jn 1:44; 12:21) Here's a cool new Bethsaida
page. TRAVELING DOWN THE JORDAN RIVER VALLEY 1. Jordan River -- a brief service, and time for walking and private meditation 2. Beth Shean -A city that knew over 5,000 years of continuous habitation. 20 levels or strata of occupation going back to 3500 BCE can be seen here. When it was a Philistine city, King Saul's dead body was displayed on Beit Shean's walls. During Roman rule it was called Scythopolis, was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis, and boasts dramatic ruins, including a colonnade, theater, and temple. (Josh 17:11; Judg 1:27; 1 Sam 31:10; 1 Kings 4:12) 4. Jacob's
Well in modern Nablus OUTSIDE THE CITY 2. Bethlehem -The City of David & Church of the Nativity (Gen 35:19; 48:7; Josh 19:15; Judg 12:8, 10; 17:7-9; 19:1-2, 18; Ruth 1:1-2, 19, 22; 2:4; 4:11; 1 Sam 16:4; 17:12, 15; 20:6, 28; 2 Sam 2:32; 23:14-16, 24; 1 Chron 4:4; 11:16- 18, 26; 2 Chron 11:6; Ezra 2:21; Neh 7:26; Jer 41:17; Micah 5:2; Mt 2:1, 2:5, 2:6, 2:8, 2:16; Lk 2:4, 2:15; Jn 7:42) 3. The Herodium -One of Herod the Great's mountain fortresses. There are surprising scriptural connections here and in the area. 4. "Jerusalem Center Shepherd's
Field" -A minor lecture stop (Lk 2:8-20; Jn 10:1-10; Jn
10:11-30; Lk 15:1-7) SOUTHERN DESERT OF THE NEGEV 1. Arad -A very important Old Testament site. Once a Canaanite flint trading city, it became an Israelite citadel and center of worship. The ruins of a Solomonic temple containing a Holy of Holies complete with a sacrificial altar, standing stones, and incense altars identical to the biblical descriptions of the Jerusalem Temple sanctuary were unearthed here. (Num 21:1-3; 33:40; Josh 12:14; Judg 1:16; 2 Kings 18:22; 22-23) 2. Avdat - A Nabatean (the people who built Petra in Jordan) mountaintop fortress and trade center. Also see this Avdat site. 3. Ein
Avdat -A wildlife refuge hike at a water source that may have
provided for the Israelites during their wanderings. This is the general
area known as the "Wilderness
of Zin." Some can hike in and out. Others may hike all the way
to the top. THE EASTERN JUDEAN WILDERNESS 1. Masada -Historical/geographical stop (hike down is very optional) Herod the Great's impregnable rock fortress and refuge. It was the last stronghold of the Jews after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. See this Masada site too, and this one too. 2. Qumran -Site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.We will view the excavations and caves, and look at an Essene presence in Israel at the time of Jesus, and Essenes and the connection to The Baptist. We will also see a new film presentation at the visitor's center. (Hike to cave #3 time permitting.) For more of Qumran try this site. 3. Wadi Qelt Hike -Hike from the Monastery of St. George to the ruins of Herod's palace at N.T. Jericho -- a major lecture area. The hike is about three miles. It's mostly downhill, but it's rugged, and there are some steep places (Lk 10:25-37; Mt 21:33-46; Mt 25:1-13; Mt 20:29; Mk 10:46; Lk 10:30, 18:35; Mk 10:46-52; Lk 19:1-10) 4. Jericho--one
of the oldest cities on earth, dating to the 8th millennium BCE. The Neolithic
tower there is considered the oldest human structure in the
world. The ruins of Herod's Jericho palace & New Testament Jericho
are the sites for Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus, & with Bartimaeus.
(Josh 2:1; 3:5-7, 16; 6:26; 18:21; 2 Sam10:5; 1 Kings 16:34; 2 Kings
2:4; 18-22; 1 Chr 19:5; 2 Chr 28:15; Jer 39:5; Mt 4:1;
20:29-34; Mk 10:46-52; Lk 10:25-27; 18:35-43; 19:1-27) A WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK 1. Bethpage -We'll visit the church, then, weather permitting, we will walk from here up the Mount of Olives (Mt 21:1; Mk 11:1; Lk 19:29) 2. Mount of Olives - Pater Noster --- Lord's Prayer (Mt 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) 3. Gethsemane (garden and cave) -Again weather permitting, we will walk down the Mount of Olives to Gethsemane. Located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from the eastern wall of the Temple Mount. Gethsemane means "olive press." The remains of olive presses from Jesus' day have been found here, and olive trees are still abundant in the area. The Garden is more well known than the Cave, and yet the biblical and physical evidence may point to the cave as more accurate. (Mt 26:36-56; Mk 14:32-50; Lk 22:39-53; Jn 18:1-14) 4. Area G, City of David -Walk down from the Dung Gate to one of the most important and little visited excavations in Israel. This is the real Zion of the scriptures. 5. Mt. Zion -Modern Zion has several points of archaeological and historical interest. We will see some or all of them, including perhaps a synagogue/church, the Essene Gate, and/or other sites from the intertestamental period and later. 6. Evening Shabbat Service at the Great
Synagogue near THE
LEV YERUSHALAYIM HOTEL (temporary location of the Jerusalem Center
for Biblical Studies) and Ben Yehuda. Largest orthodox synagogue in the
city. THE TEMPLE AND THE WAY OF THE CROSS 1. Western Wall/Temple Mount -In Arabic, Haram esh-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary). Located atop Mount Moriah, it is the most impressive site in Jerusalem. Abraham is said to have prepared to sacrifice Isaac here, David bought the site and built an altar on it, Solomon built the First Temple, and Herod the Second Temple on it. Jesus taught here, and, after his death and resurrection, Peter and his disciples were arrested and beaten for teaching here. Paul taught here as well. Today, The Temple Mount is under the control of the Arabs. Omar built the golden Dome of the Rock here in the 7th century CE (Another interesting shot from 1980; and another in the snow!). On the southern end of the Mount is the silver domed Al Aksa Mosque built between 705 & 715 CE. Yet adjacent to the mosques is the Jewish holy site, The Western Wall, that is under Israeli control. You can now walk on the Herodian Street running along the Western Wall at the SW corner, The Place of the Trumpeting. Click here. 2. St. Anne's Church and The Pool of Bethesda -Where Jesus healed a paralyzed man. During the time of Jesus a temple dedicated to the god Serapis was located on this site. (John 5) 3. Via Dolorosa walk -Meaning "The Way of the Cross," is the traditional route of Jesus' walk to Calvary--the Church of the Holy Sepulchre today--from the site of Pilate's headquarters at the Antonia Fortress, on the northwest portion of the Temple wall. (Mt:27:24-37; Mk 15:16-26; Lk 23:24-33; Jn 19:16-19) Very nice photo 4. The Lithostratos (Mt 27:27-31; Mk 15:16-20; Jn 19:1-3) 5. Church
of the Holy Sepulchre -The holiest shrine in Christendom.
There is biblical, historical, recent archaeological, and longstanding
traditional evidence that makes this site very likely the place of
Jesus' crucifixion, entombment, and resurrection. Nice photo
of door from 1980. Nice shot
of roof where the Ethiopian priests actually live! Here's another site
too. OPHEL GARDEN AND ISRAEL MUSEUM 1. Ophel: Southern Temple Mount Excavation- Site of the Pinnacle, a 1st Century Street, a large section of the Western and southern Walls, and the "Teaching Steps" 2. Israel Museum -An afternoon visiting the Dead Sea Scrolls, incense altars from Arad, Caiaphas' ossuary, & much more. 3. Dinner in Bethlehem with closing worship and communion 4. Late Evening Transport to Tel Aviv 5. Depart From Israel at Ben Gurion
International HOMEWARD BOUND 1. Arrival New York JFK, then domestic flights home Last Modified : 9/27/99 |
This page last updated October 29, 2005