Sara and I arrived in Tel Aviv on March 21, a couple of days prior to the tour’s start. This gave us time to find our hotel, scope out the beach at Tel Aviv, and meet some of our fellow pilgrims. Tel Aviv is quite a large, modern city: and we’re told that it’s the world’s most expensive city.
Within walking distance, just south of Tel Aviv, however, is the very old city of Jaffa. A small place in Jaffa, Abu Hassan, claims to have the best hummus in Israel, so a group of us walked down to Jaffa. It was a much longer walk than expected. Along the way, we ran into Peri and Brian, enjoying a few hours alone between their two tours. So we greeted and introduced each other just briefly, looking forward to meeting and beginning the tour on the morrow. Then we found our destination and loved the hummus. On the way back, Sara and I split off to explore Jaffa’s marketplace.
Our tour began on the March 23, with a morning breakfast and then “All Aboard the Bus.” Our accommodations included three nights in Tiberias, at the Lake House Hotel on the Sea of Galilee, two nights in Bethlehem on the West Bank, and three nights in Jerusalem. Within the boundaries of Israel are so many historical sites of importance not only for Jews but also for Christians and Muslims.
Here are some of the many sites we visited, all connected with the history of Israel, and especially with the life and ministry of Jesus.
Caesarea: The ancient port named for Augustus Caesar was the home of Pontius Pilate. The archeological site includes his palace on the sea, an amphitheater, a hippodrome, statues and an ancient synagogue with mosaic floors.
Mount Carmel: A monastery here marks the place where the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Muhraqa Sanctuary and Monastery sits on top of the highest peak of the Carmel mountains.
Megiddo: Armageddon: A most important ancient city overlooking the plain where crucial battles were fought throughout ancient and modern times. Excavations have revealed 26 layers of the city including a water tunnel built by Ahab.
Nazareth: In Jesus’s childhood home, we first visited an Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Later we visited a Roman Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation that was truly one of the most beautiful, more modern churches we’ve ever seen. I agreed with Peri that it is second only to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Below is a short video of the beautiful interior of The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation.
The short video below shows a glimpse of the beautiful Roman Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation. Throughout the Basilica are mosaics contributed by many nations. Each mosaic bears the characteristics of the contributing nation
Migdal: An ancient town, birthplace of Mary Magdalene, a most devoted follower of Jesus. Now there is a beautiful church and an archeological excavation along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. We took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, complete with a brief rainstorm. We saw the Ancient Galilee Boat, also known as “The Jesus Boat,” and enjoyed one of Brian’s devotions in the church looking out over the Sea of Galilee.
The Jordan River: At our stop along the Jordan River, Brian afforded us all the opportunity to be baptized at a site where Jesus himself may have been baptized by John the Baptist. The actual site is contested, as those across the river, in Jordan, prefer another spot. Nevertheless, more than half of our pilgrims enjoyed the chance for a new baptism with Brian as the pastor. Everyone enjoyed this stop, and for some it was a significant spiritual sacrament.
Capernaum was important as the center of Jesus’s ministry. A site here marks the birthplace of St. Peter and the home of Peter’s Mother-in-law. A bible story tells how a sick man had to be lowered through the roof here to get past the crowd and ask Jesus to heal him.
Mount Arbel: The Bible simply says that Jesus “went to the mountain” to pray. This climb, looking down over the Sea of Galilee, may be that spot.
Mount of the Beatitudes: Also overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this is believed to be the site of Jesus’s “Sermon on the Mount” including the Beatitudes. The site includes a beautiful church, gardens, and a retreat center.
Beit Shean: This was an incredible archeological site revealing what was an entire Roman City of military and commercial importance.
Church of the Nativity: In Bethlehem we visited this church, or perhaps I should write “these churches,” since a single building houses both an Orthodox church and a Roman Catholic church. Both were built around the grotto believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus.
South to the Judean Desert. Our bus took us from Jerusalem, and Bethlehem (in the West Bank), out to the desert where we visited:
- Masada: This was King Herod’s mountaintop fortress high above the Dead Sea. In the first century, Jews who escaped the Roman destruction of Jerusalem fled here and survived for three years surrounded by the Roman tenth legion. When it became clear that they would be conquered, the siege ended with mass suicide of more than 960.
- Dead Sea: Yes, we had the chance to don our swimsuits and float (or bob) in the Dead Sea. You cannot help but float in this water, and you’re warned not to drink or to let it anywhere near your eyes. It’s unlike any other swimming experience.
- Qumran: A colony of the Essenes, a mystic Jewish sect, lived here. There’s another museum and archeological site, made even more important because the “Dead Sea Scrolls” were found here.
Sara’s Summary: So far, our time in Israel has been fascinating and so full of discoveries and experiences that fill our souls! We’ve walked in the footsteps of Jesus, we’ve made so many new friends, and we’ve been inspired by the words of Brian and Peri Zahnd. Our guide Mona and driver Mohammad have been wonderful! I didn’t know what to expect on this journey, but it has been spectacular. Our next post (Israel, Part Two) will cover our visit to Jerusalem.
