Following the gospels in the Holy Land is an experience of a lifetime. One day is enough to tour the highlights of Jerusalem or Galilee, but a few more days will allow you to explore more than just the basics. Here are some of the highlights you can visit on a Christian Tour of Israel.
Christian Jerusalem
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4)
Walking through ancient Jerusalem is an experience of a lifetime. There is no city in the world that can bring the Bible to life like Jerusalem. Jerusalem contains the 3000-year-old stones from which King David built the city; The 2000-year-old street upon which Jesus walked on his path to the Golgotha, and, of course, the foundation of the Jewish Temple which was later on destroyed by the Romans.
Mount of Olives
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from ancient days. (Micah, 5:1)
“The Coming of Zion’s King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9)
Mount of Olives starts with a beautiful viewpoint of the old city of Jerusalem. This is where Jesus crossed to get to Jerusalem. This is where Jesus is given a donkey, and where the crowds took palm branches to meet Jesus. The bottom of the mountain has an ancient olive grove. According to Christian tradition, this is Gethsemene. From here Jesus gazed toward the Temple mount feeling the agony of what he foresaw. About 37 years after the crucifixion Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Romans.
The Mount of Olives has the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world. The oldest graves are over 3000 years old from the time of King David.
Pools of Bethesda and Saint Ann’s Church
Pools of Bethesda drew in hundreds of people a day in ancient times. The pools had medicinal qualities which helped the sick and the lepers. According to Christian tradition, these are the berry pools where Jesus healed the paralytic. on the premises, you can also find a complete Crusader church which is considered the birthplace of Ann, Mary’s mother.
Via Dolorosa
Walking through the old city of Jerusalem takes you back in time. The walls on the way to Jesus’s Tomb Contain signs of the estimated Stations of the Cross. On the way to the church of Resurrection, you can choose to check out unique archaeology stores, offering relics from the time of Jesus. The last 5 Stations of the Cross are inside the Church of Resurrection. It is also known as the holy church of Sepulchre. Many church denominations believe the church contains the burial place of Jesus from which he was resurrected. The church is a multi-layered structure. It was resurrected by Saint Helen, the mother of Constantine the emperor, in the 4th century. later on, it was renovated by the Crusader Queen Melisensde in the 12th century. The church contains many chambers of interest and secrecy. For example, Adams Chapel contains a piece of rock from the Golgotha, upon which Jesus bled. According to tradition, the blood reached Adam’s tomb. By doing this Jesus’s crucifixion made up for the sins of humanity from the first man.
The Upper Room (The Room of The Last Supper) and Tomb of King David
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)
Outside the city walls lies a unique structure that contains two important rooms. The lower chamber is King David’s tomb and serves as a synagogue today. The upper chamber is considered the upper room where Jesus and his disciples had their last supper. This is where the Holy Spirit descended Down to Earth on Pentecost and replaced Jesus’s divine presence.
The Western Wall
The Western Wall is part of the retaining wall built by King Herod in order to create the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is an artificial structure surrounding Mount Moriah, upon which the Jewish temple stood. In Jewish tradition, the peak of Mount Moriah is the foundation stone from which God created the universe. Mount Moriah is also where Abraham bound Isaac but was later on replaced by a ram and was not sacrificed. The Jewish temple was destroyed in the year 70. For the past 1300 years, the Temple mount contains two structures: the Dome of the Rock and The Mosque of Al Aqsa.
Bethlehem
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-3)
The church of Nativity and Shephard’s field are only a few miles south of Jerusalem. Exploring the birthplace of Jesus involves crossing over to Palestinian-controlled territory. This is easy for us to arrange.
Galilee: Exploring the ministry of Jesus.
Nazareth
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name” (Luke 1:26-38)
Nazareth is home to one of the largest churches in Israel. The church of Annunciation contains a cave in which Mary received the word of Gabriel.
Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or. the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
The majestic natural scenery of the Sea of Galilee contains many of the scenes described in the gospels. It is here that Jesus recruited his disciples. It is here that Jesus performed most of his miracles. It is here where Jesus reappeared in front of his disciples after the resurrection, and where he walked on water. (For information about a Galilee tour addressing ancient scripture link here)
Magdala
This is one of the most astounding new archaeological digs in Israel. While digging in the ancient city of Magdala, the birthplace of Mary of Magdalene, the archaeologist found a first-century synagogue. It is likely that Jesus preached in this very synagogue.
There is still more
While visiting, you can take a boat on the sea of Galilee. This experience is described by some as one of the most moving moments in the Holyland. You can also check out an ancient fisherman’s boat from the time of Jesus. It was found deep underground in the seabed and was preserved for people to see.
