Crown of Thorns Israel

 Passover – Crown of  Thorns Journey in Israel

21 April – 01 May 2024

Genesis 12:1-3

Now Adonai said to Abram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

 

Day 1: Departure:  (Sunday 21 April 2022)

Our journey begins to Israel.

Day 2:  (Monday 22 April 2024)

Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Nazareth

The Bible stories comes alive as we start our journey reading the Scriptures. We take a drive to Joppa the oldest port of Israel. We visit the charismatic and beautiful city of Jaffa the oldest port city in the world that dates back thousands of years and is where St. Peter had his vision on the rooftop of the House of Simon the Tanner and raised Tabitha from the dead. Jonah set sail to Tarshish from Jaffa and King Solomon built his port on the Mediterranean there.  After enjoying the few over the Mediterranean sea we will drive to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. The ancient seaport and Roman Capital of Biblical Caesarea, where Pontius Pilate resided. This was also where Peter preached to the Roman Centurion Cornelius and saw the entire household believe. Paul was put on trial here before sailing for Rome. We drive outside the city to take pictures of its ancient Herodian Roman aqueduct. Our next stop is at Mt. Carmel where he Elijah dealt with the 450 prophets of Baal. We have a wonderful western view of the Jezreel Valley. Our day end in Nazareth where Yeshua spent his boyhood years before beginning his ministry at the age of 30

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Tiberius

Day 3: (Tuesday 23 April 2023)

Nazareth, Cana, Mt Arbel , Migdal,  Ginosar- Ancient Yeshua Boat, Sail on Galilee, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum 

We visit Nazareth Village and the Church of the Annunciation.   Next is Cana of Galilee where Yeshua performed His first miracle at the wedding. We stand on the Mt Arbel with a extraordinary view over Galilee. We visit the town of Migdal, known as Magdala where a 2,000-year-old synagogue from the Second Temple Period was uncovered. We make our way to Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz where we will discover a spectacular finding of the ancient Yeshua Boat. We enjoy relaxing Cruise on the Sea of Galilee and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Yeshua and the fishermen disciples. Thereafter we enjoy special time at the Mount of the Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount and for a beautiful view of the entire Galilee. We visit Tabgha the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We visit to Capernaum where Yeshua taught and performed most of his miracles in Galilee.  We see the ruins of an ancient synagogue in the 1st century and have a view of Peter’s home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight:  Nazareth or Tiberius

Day 4: (Wednesday 24 April 2024) 

Mt. Tabor, Ein Harod, Beit She’an, Baptism – Bethabara, Jericho, Wadi Qelt

This is an early morning for everyone. This morning we ascending Mt. Tabor for a spectacular view, the place of transfiguration and ascension of Yeshua. We go back in time in the days of the Judges, the Spring of Harod served as a strategic gathering point for the ancient Israelites. The story of Gideon unfold as we learn how the people of this region had already witnessed the hand of God upon them in the battle against Sisera and the Canaanites. The victory required the Israelites to display an element of trust in a God who would intervene on their behalf. It was a battle that tested the faith of Israel and her leaders. A generation later, Israel faced another battle that tested their faith. We visit Beit She’an where the bodies of King Saul and three of his sons were hung by the Philistines after the Battle of Gilboa. We travel Southwards where we will visit the Baptism Site, the Biblical place Bethabara. A place that played an important role in the life of Yeshua, as he returned there many times after his baptism. He went there, for example, after his rejection in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, “He went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.” (John 10.40).  We continue to to Jericho, the place where God had an awesome plan for the battle of Jericho. The scriptures describes the Israelites being led by Joshua and crossing the Jordan into Canaan where they laid siege to the city of Jericho. There, God spoke to Joshua telling him to go around the city once every day for six days with the seven priests carrying ram’s horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day they were to December  around the city seven times and the priests were to blow their ram’s horns. We visit the Mount of Temptation where Yeshua was tempted by Satan after fasting 40 days & 40 Nights. We visit  Elishah’s Fountain, and the Sycamore Tree where the short man named Zacchaeus climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Yeshua passing by. We make our way to Wadi Qilt where we will spend some time in prayer in the wilderness. David’s flight from Absalom (2 Sam 15-16), Zedekiah’s flight from the Babylonians (2 Kgs 25:4), the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and Yeshua travelled from Jericho to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

 

Day 5: Thursday 25 December 2022) 

Bet Shemesh, Elah Valley, Beit Guvrin, Cave of the Patriarchs, Bethlehem, Shepherd Field

We travel towards Beth Shemesh one of the most important Israelite’s city in the Sorek Valley located in the territorial bounds of the tribe of 1 Samuel being the first city encountered by the Ark of the Covenant on its way back from Philistia after having been captured by the Philistines in battle. In the 2 Kings, Beit Shemesh is again mentioned as being the site of the battle between Amaziah king of Judea and Jehoash king of Israel. In the Elah Valley we stand where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines continued. This is also the place where David fought the Giant Golaith 1 Samuel 17:4-51 and 1 Samuel 21:9. We gather some stones and get out our slings to fight the giants in our life. This is where David gathered his “five smooth stones” before battling Goliath. (1 Samuel 17) The brook is dry in the summer, revealing smooth stones even today. We stand in awe with the amazing caves at Beit Guvrin with, tumultuous history from the First Temple Period through to modern times. The Bible refers to the City of Maresha during the First Temple period. The city was destroyed in 112BCE. We visit the Cave of Machpela of patriarchs and prophets. A very intergral part of the Jewish heritage, where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah are buried, according to some sources it is also the tomb of Joseph as he requested ” Bury me with my fathers in the cave”. We end our day in Bethlehem. We journey to the Shepherds field and Bethlehem. Yeshua was born in Bethlehem, which was a fulfillment of prophecy (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-7) and also the place of death and burial for Rachel. The name Bethlehem actually means “house of bread.” Bethlehem was also the birthplace of David (2 Sam 23:24; 1 Chr 11:26). The roads descending to the east of Bethlehem lead through the Christian village of Beit Sahour (or Bait Sahur), which includes the Shepherds’ Fields identified since ancient times where the shepherds seen the Star. (Luke 2:8-10

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

 

Day 6: (Friday 26 April 2024)   

Mt Zion, Last Supper Room, Tomb of King David, Cardo, Jewish Quarters, Western Wall, Southern Wall, Golden Gate, Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit, Palm Sunday road , Church of All Nations, Garden of Gethsemane

This morning we fulfil Isaiah 62:6-7 by praying on the Walls of Jerusalem. This morning is a very early start and long walk we visit the Upper Room (Luke 22). We visit the traditional site where Yeshua instituted the “Last Supper” – Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1—17:26.  Visit the Tomb of King David and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter, down the Cardo. We have a spectacular teaching at the Temple Institute. On our way down the stairs we see the Golden Lamp Stand and enjoy prayer time at the Western Wall. We take our journey out the Dung Gate to view the Southern Wall Excavations and the Temple Stairs. We walk pass the Mercy Gate and make our way up to the Golden Gate. We head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where Yeshua had a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44) also the place where He ascended into heaven (Acts 1). We walk pass by Pater Noster Church and Dominus Flevit where “the Yeshua wept” as he beheld the Holy City and walk down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Yeshua. We visit the Church of All Nations.  We spend time praying in the Garden.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 7:  (Saturday 27 April  2024)

Caiaphas House, Panoramic view, Pools of Bethsaida, Ecco Homo, Stations of the Cross, Golgotha, Garden Tomb 

We visit St. Peter Galicantu also known as the House of Caiaphas The way of the cross starts at the Lions gate as we continue to the Pools of Bethsaida also known to have supplied water to the First and Second Temples until Herod the Great’s time. These very baths are where the healing miracle of Yeshua took place John 5:2-9  Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades, also known to have supplied water to the First and Second Temples until Herod the Great’s time. These very baths are where the healing miracle of Yeshua took place. We will walk along the Stations of the Cross, to visit the Judgment Hall of Pilate (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). We visit the place where the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe (“behold [the] man” John 19. We continue to the Stations of the Cross starting where Yeshua was judged and ordered to take up the Cross (John 19:13-17, John 19: 5),  Yeshua falls for the first time (Isaiah 53: 4-7, Matthew 11:28-30). Yeshua meets his Mother (John 19: 25-27), Simon of Cyrene helps Yeshua carry his Cross, (Mark 15: 21), Yeshua consoles the women of Jerusalem, (Luke 22: 28-32), Yeshua stripped of his garments (John 19: 23-24), Yeshua nailed to the Cross , (Luke 23: 33-43), Yeshua dies on the Cross (John 19: 28-37, Matthew 27: 50), Yeshua taken down from the Cross, (John 19: 38-40), Yeshua is laid in the Tomb (Mark 15: 46-47) . We end at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17) and the Garden Tomb. We visit the Garden Tomb, where we will celebrate the Resurrection in prayer time (Luke 23)..  We continue to the Stations of the Cross and end at Golgotha. We  visit the empty Garden Tomb, where we will celebrate the Resurrection with a time of prayer (Luke 23).

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 8:  (Sunday 28 December  2024)  

Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea

We start heading pass the Judean desert towards Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea where David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. We travel to Masada for a Cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada where we will learn about the history of the famous zealot stand . Our day ends with a relaxing float in the Dead Sea

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 9:  (Monday 29 April 2024)

Friends of Zion Museum, Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Promenade, Tower of David, Mamilla, Jerusalem Night Show

We visit the friends of Zion Museum. At Israel Museum we view a Model of Jerusalem in 2nd Walls of Jerusalem,  Temple Period. Standing on the Promenade we will be overlooking the expanse of the Old City, traditionally, known as the spot from which God first showed Abraham Jerusalem. We proceed to the Yad Vashem where we will experience the times during the Holocaust. We stop for a view from the Ophel Promenade that runs parallel to the eastern wall of Jerusalem’s Old City. It stretches from the Lions’ Gate and entrance to the Gihon Spring, around the southeastern corner of the Old City to the Dung Gate and the City of David archaeological site. The Biblical word Ophel refers to a part of a settlement built on an elevated and fortified piece of land. In the Bible, Ophel refers specifically to two cities, Samaria (Kings II, 5:24) and the City of David (Chronicles II, 27:3; 33:14 and Nehemiah, 3:26; 11:21). The City of David was King David’s city, established just outside the walls of present-day Jerusalem’s Old City. The Tower of David, also known as the Citadel, is an ancient citadel located near the Jaffa Gate entrance. We visit the Mamilla for a night out and enjoy The Night Spectacular show.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 10: (Tuesday 30 April 2024)

Temple Institute, Ein Kerem, Abu Gosh, Ein Karem, Abu Gosh, Gezer, Ramla, Tell Qasile, Tel-Aviv, Carmel Market

We find our way to the Temple Institute to learn more about the vessels ready for the Temple. We In just a short drive we visit Ein Kerem and Emmaus. After the crucifixion of Yeshua the disciples were on the road to Emmaus. We find the story in Luke 24:13-35 while we walk to Ein Kerem a pilgrimage site where John the Baptist was born and Mary visit Elizabeth. We have a visit to the village of Abu Gosh, it was known in Biblical Times as Kiryat Ye’arim, and was a ceremonial center where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. The biblical Kiryat Ye’arim, from where King David brought the Holy Shrine back to Jerusalem. 1 Sam. 7:1-2,  The Biblical city of Gezer offering a 360 degrees panorama of central Israel and mentioned several times in ancient times. Another extradinary discovery is in Ramla, with a underground pool fed by a central aqueduct coming from the region of Gezer and leading to the reservoirs. We travel to Tel Aviv, and learn about Tell Qasile, one of the most fascinating and important archaeological site excavation in the Tel Aviv area. The great discovery including the remains of an ancient Philistine city and communities that have been discovered from 3000 years ago up to the present. Walking in the museum’s garden we hear about the restored olive oil plant and flour mill. We Travel to Tel Aviv where we will have time to enjoy a relaxing time on the Sunny Beach. We enjoy a farewell meal together before we make our way to the Airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11:  (Wednesday 01 May 2024

Home

We on our way home with mind and hearts filled with a new and revived passion of Faith. We say goodbye to our new friends and Jerusalem remains on our lips