Front Row Seats...
This is a Pilgrim's Journal of the Holy Land - May 2022.
The Three Pilgrims
While we were technically in a group of 60 people, the focus of this record is the pilgrimage of the remus trio of Carl, Nancy and Annie" to the holy land in May 2022. this is a day-by-day log of our travels, thoughts and experiences. We are excited to share these with you.
THE JOURNEY
TRAVELING TO ISRAEL FROM TULSA, OK
TRAVEL DAY(S)...
Saturday-Sunday April 30th - May 1st
​
​Due to the length of the flight and the change in time zones (8), we landed in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening (local). We had to clear customs and take our Covid test before we boarded our two tour buses and headed north to our hotel in Hadera.
THE JOURNEY
DAY 1 IN ISRAEL
MONDAY, 5/2/22
First morning in Israel. Looked out of the balcony onto the Mediterranean Sea. What a beautiful cool and refreshing site!
1st stop: Caesarea
After breakfast we loaded up on buses and went north to Caesarea Maritima: a palace built by Herod the Great.
Biblical ties to this place include:
1. Home to Cornelius, the first gentile to convert to being a follower of Christ.
​
2. Paul was imprisoned here for two years before going to Rome for his final trial and execution.
​
(Our second stop will be Mt. Carmel)
Caesarea Maritima (also known as Caesarea Palestine). Built by Herod the Great starting around 22 BCE and located on the Mediterranean Sea just a few miles north of Hadera.
Herod’s warm freshwater swimming pool in the Mediterranean Sea (spring fed)
This was the court of legal jurisdiction where Paul was held for two years when he appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25 & 26)
Herod enlarged the bay area to create a significant seaport in order to capture more sea trade after the fall of Alexandria.
Our 2nd stop of the day was to the top of Mount Carmel, where Elijah battled the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-20)
As we approached Mt. Carmel (see ABOVE) we came to a village comprised of the largest community of Druze in the world.
This poster was posted prominently in the Druze restaurant we stopped at for lunch after we visited Mt. Carmel. Druze are neither Jewish nor Muslim.
They worship 5 prophets including Jesus. They believe in reincarnation. No one can choose to be Druze as you either are a Druze when you are born, or you are not
The 5 prophets (there were two different ones named Jesus including Jesus of Nazareth).
{
Next Stop: Megiddo
Our last stop of the day, before heading to our hotel in Tiberius, was Megiddo.
What looks like a tall hill is really a “tell”; a series of civilizations at this spot that each in turn was built and destroyed with the next civilization building on top of the previous. It is thought that 20 to 30 civilizations may have existed at this site.
This valley conveniently allows for travel between Europe, Asia and Africa. Most of the world’s mightiest armies have marched through this area which is the Jezreel Valley, but also identified as the Valley of Armageddon.
In 1 Kings 9:15 we learn that Solomon built on Megiddo, probably as one of his “chariot cities” due to the evidence of stables and horse training facilities (we know this is only one of many layers of civilization). The key to this location was its strategic view of the valley below and the presence of a deep source of water.
NEXT STOP: Tiberius
After Megiddo, we drove about an hour to our hotel in Tiberius.
Tiberius was founded by Herod Antipas in AD 18 and named for the reigning Roman emperor.
​
Tiberius today is one of four Jewish holy cities (Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberius). It is said that the Jewish Talmud was composed here, it is also home to the Masoretes.
​
In addition, Tiberius experienced an influx of Jewish Rabbis who established this place as a center of Jewish learning.
MOUNTS + BAPTISMS
DAY 2 IN ISRAEL
TUESDAY, 5/3/22
First Stop: Mt. Tabor
Mount Tabor is the traditional site of the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:27-36) located just outside of Nazareth.
(as an aside, Mount Hermon near Caesarea Phillipi, north of the Sea of Galilee is the alternate site of this event)
From Mt. Tabor, we went to The Church of the Annunciation, the site in nazareth that honors the visit by the angel Gabriel to tell Mary she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 2:26-38)
The church has at least three civilizations represented in its architecture, as does most historic sites in Israel.
​
The bottom most layer is often Byzantine as they destroyed most of the earlier structures when they arrived and built atop of it.
​
The second layer is then very often from the Crusades and the efforts of Helena, Constantine’s mother who came to the Holy Land to identify and honor the events and places of scripture.
​
Finally, the most recent layer is usually from a more modern era and is often of Catholic or Greek Orthodox origins.
Underneath and around the church were the ruins of early Nazareth
Next Stop; Mt. Precipice
​
Located just outside Nazareth, Mount Precipice is the traditional site mentioned in Luke 4:24-30 where the crowd wanted to throw Jesus off a cliff.
Our last stop in Nazareth was a recreated 1st century farm from the area.
​​
Here there is an effort to demonstrate what life would’ve been like at that time. After the tour we had an authentic 1st century lunch – recipes and tableware included.
Olive Tree
​
​
Wine Press​
​
Next stop - the Jordan River
At the Jordan River we decided that we would honor our relationship with Jesus, with each other as a family and the church
THE JOURNEY
DAY 3 IN ISRAEL
Wednesday, 5/4/22
First Stop: Mt. Tabor
Last night we visited with Speero Sheety, his wife Jeenan and Samuel (Sam). They came over from their home near Nazareth to visit and invite us over to their place tomorrow night.
While we were visiting, the sirens blew at 8:00 pm as everything and everybody stopped for two minutes marking their Memorial day which started at sundown. The same thing will happen at 10:00am tomorrow.
Interestingly, after sundown tomorrow it just so happens Israel will celebrate their Independence Day. (It also marks the end of Ramadan for the Muslim population). It is very unusual to have all 3 things happen at the same time.
_______
​
After breakfast this morning we headed to the boat docks. Along the way we stopped at a war memorial to honor Israel’s Memorial Day.
Mount Tabor is the traditional site of the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:27-36) located just outside of Nazareth.
(as an aside, Mount Hermon near Caesarea Phillipi, north of the Sea of Galilee is the alternate site of this event)
After a few minutes at the War Memorial, we headed for a “Jesus Boat” and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
The Church of the Annunciation
Still in Nazareth, we went to the site that honors the visit by the angel Gabriel to tell Mary she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 2:26-38)
While on the Sea, we stopped and had a short service with a message and singing. It was so calm, cool and refreshing.
​
We then headed to shore, to the upper west side of the lake at a town named Migdal (also Magdala or Magda).
The Church of the Annunciation
Still in Nazareth, we went to the site that honors the visit by the angel Gabriel to tell Mary she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 2:26-38)
Our first stop at Migdal was a museum that displayed a 2,000-year-old fishing boat that was discovered in this area.
This area marks the ancient area of fishing activity and all the biblical sites that relate to Jesus’ ministry in and around the Sea of Galilee.
Underneath and around the church were the ruins of early Nazareth
ROMAN NAILS FOUND WITH THE BOAT...
From Migdal we drove north to the Church of the Beatitudes, commemorating the teaching and preaching of Jesus in this area for most of his 3-year ministry. All around the Sea of Galilee are hills arising up from the shoreline. This church is in the center of where Jesus’ ministry occurred.
(Matthew 5:1-12)
Next Stop; Mt. Precipice
​
Located just outside Nazareth, Mount Precipice is the traditional site mentioned in Luke 4:24-30 where the crowd wanted to throw Jesus off a cliff.
Our next stop was the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha.
​
When a German Christian group started to build a church in this area, they uncovered a previous structure with a mosaic tile floor depicting the miracle of the loaves and fishes (John 6:1-13).
A short walk from the Church of the Multiplication is an area commemorating the Forgiveness of Peter by Jesus (John 21:15-17)
Our next stop along the banks of the Sea of Galilee was the town of Capernaum.
“And again, He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was at home. (Mark 2:1)
While this synagogue is from the 4th century, it sits atop the one that existed in Capernaum at the time of Christ. We know Jesus taught exactly on this spot (Mark 1:21-28).
Looking out from the entrance of the synagogue, one looks over the base walls of a residential area. The modern structure seen here protects the home of Peter, where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31).
Inside the structure over Peter's house - looking down into the ruins.
Underneath the protective structure lies the stem walls to Peter's house with original materials displayed.
A short walk from Peter’s house is the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Our last stop of the day was back to Magdala and specifically to the Duc in Altum church and an adjoining archeological dig site of a 1st century synagogue.
Of note, this area is the home of Mary the Magdalene (Luke 8:1-3)
Synagogue flooring from the 1st century AD
Magdala was known for the process of salting fish caught from the Sea. Related biblical events associated with this area is commemorated at the Duc in Altum Church. These include:
​
1.Peter asked by Jesus to lower his nets on the other side of the boat.
​
​
2.Jesus healing of Darius’ daughter
​
​
3.Jesus walking on the water
​
​
4.Jesus healing Mary Magdalene of demons
​
​
​
5.The woman touching the hem of Jesus garment
After a quick buffet supper at the hotel, Sam came by to take us to Speero’s house near Nazareth,
We then went to an Independence day celebration
THE JOURNEY
DAY 4 IN ISRAEL
Thursday, 5/5/22
On this morning we checked out of the hotel in Tiberius and headed south.
​
Our first stop was Cana to see the site of Jesus’ first miracle: turning of water into wine.
Later, we will go to:
-
Beth Shean (a Roman city in the region of Decapolis),
-
Emmaus, and
-
Kyriat Yearim
Then on to Jerusalem.
Our first stop of the day was the Wedding Church in Cana, commemorating the first miracle of Jesus: turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
While at Cana we renewed wedding vows in honor of the wedding feast that occurred here so many years ago.
While excavating the area, these ritual water jars were discovered. They can hold 20-30 gallons and were the type of jars Jesus used to perform the miracle.
Our 2nd stop was Bet Shean, the lead city of the area known as The Decapolis. It is thought to be one the best-preserved sites of a Roman city.
This city is mentioned in the biblical story of the death of Saul and his sons (1 Samuel 31:8-13)
The Bath house entrance and underfloor support where steam was poured through for heating.
After a bit of a ride, we came upon the town of Emmaus located just west of Jerusalem (Luke 24:13-16).
Baptismal at ancient church site.
Our final stop before checking in to the hotel in Jerusalem was Kyriat Yearim. This was the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided after the Philistines released it and remained here until David sought to bring it to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 7:1-2 and 2 Samuel 6:1-2).
Note that Jerusalem can be seen in the distant hills.
THE JOURNEY
DAY 5 IN ISRAEL
Friday, 5/6/22
Got up this first morning in Jerusalem and boarded buses after breakfast to head to Bethlehem.
After a short bus ride to Bethlehem, we stopped at the Bethlehem Nativity Souvenirs shop.
Our 2nd stop was the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site of the birth of Jesus (Micah 5:2 & Luke 2:1-7).
To enter the Church of the Nativity you must enter a very small doorway (used to keep out large animals: a problem from when the church was first built)
Once inside the church, a long line leads through the historic building to the center altar which sits atop of the cave where it is said Jesus was born.
Descending into the cave that served as the stable to house animals under the upper levels
This is the traditional site for the actual birth of Jesus. Reaching into the recess you feel the cave floor just an inch or two below.
Just behind the place of birth is a slight descent to the place where the stone manger is located.
Coming up out of the cave on the other side of the church altar.
It is from here that Jesus sent his disciples to find the donkey for Palm Sunday.
This may have also been where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
(Luke 22:39-44)
From the Mount of Olives we walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane. The views are all looking west to the Temple Mount area of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley
THE JOURNEY
DAY 6 IN ISRAEL
Saturday, 5/7/22
Today we wake up to Shabbat or the Sabbath. This is Judaism's day of rest (the seventh day of the week) and started at sundown last night through sundown tonight. There is no 2-day weekend. Yesterday was a workday and so is tomorrow.
Of note: there are lots of rules that pertain to this day: e.g., no cooking, but you can warm things. No pushing buttons (considered work). Machines are not allowed to “work” either, so they are turned off.
Our first stop today is the Israel Museum that houses a 1:50 scale model City of Jerusalem as it existed in 66 AD.
Looking down onto the southern steps
The Temple as expanded by Herod.
This current site of the Church of the Sepulchure. Originally a rock quarry thought to double as the place of execution.
Site of The Garden Tomb (alternate site of Golgotha
Traditional site of the crucifixion (Church of the Sepulchre)
Looking from the northwest to the southeast
Typical wealthy estate homes on northside of Jerusalem.
Looking south from the northeast corner of the city. The Pool of Bethseda in the foreground and the Antonio Fortress standing beyond and the Temple beyond it to the left.
Another view of the new Garden Tomb / Golgotha site
Part of the same complex, The Shrine of the Book is dedicated to the history and scholarship surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls and other finds related to holy scriptures and writings.
Due to the sensitivity of the documents, no picture-taking was allowed.
The Isaiah Scroll displayed
After the Shrine of the Book we loaded up onto the buses and rode over an hour to Masada!
On the bus ride, we passed by Jericho in the distance!
The boulders strewn around the grounds were thrown from Roman catapults. Average weight is 50 – 70 pounds.
The Synagogue
The water supply
Herod’s Palace & his views.
Inside the palace
Our next stop was Qumran for lunch and a tour of the ruins.
Qumran was an Essene village (strict orthodox) that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. In order to preserve their heritage and culture, they hid their writings in the many caves surrounding their town. In 1947 a shepherd boy found old documents in one of the caves, now known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.
There are between 600 – 800 yet unexplored caves in this area.
2 of the caves where scrolls were found.
A very short drive from Qumran was the place to get into the Dead Sea.
Note: The Dead Sea has the lowest land elevation on Earth, sitting 422 meters (1,385 feet) below sea level.
As we were leaving this camel came by the bus…
THE JOURNEY
DAY 7 IN ISRAEL
Sunday, 5/8/22
Our stop today is in the Old City of Jerusalem to walk the Via Dolorosa!
We entered through the Lion’s Gate from the east, just on the north side of the Temple Mount.
Station 1 is where Pilate condemns Jesus It is now a school and not a point of pilgrimage.
Station 11 is where Jesus is flogged, receives the crown of thorns and the lots cast for his clothes. (John 19:1-3). There are two churches and a plaza marking this site.
Station VII marks where Jesus fell for the second time.
Going from Station !X to X involved taking a circuitous route through a series of alcoves and stairs within the Church of the Sepluchre, finally emerging onto the courtyard in front of the main entrance.
Finally, one enters into the courtyard fronting the entrance to the Church of the Sepulchre.
Stations X – XIII are located under the first dome and contain the place where:
X – Jesus was stripped of his inner garment
XI – Jesus was nailed to the cross
XII – Jesus dies on the cross
XIII – Jesus is taken down from the cross and body initially (and quickly) prepared for burial
(Station XIV is under the other dome which protects the empty tomb)
As you enter the church the steep steps to the immediate right take you up the steep slope of Golgotha, now totally enclosed by the church.
If you proceed straight ahead as most are want to do at first, you come upon the mural depicting the removal of Jesus from the cross.
Station XIV: Under the 2nd dome of the church, about 75 yards away, sits a huge altar over what is said to be the tomb (sepulchre) in which Jesus was buried (Matthew 27:57-61).
Due to a ceremony on this day, we were not able to enter the actual tomb
From Jerusalem we boarded our buses and headed out of town to an archeological dig site of Maresha,
Into a cave we go….
THE JOURNEY
DAY 8 IN ISRAEL
Monday, 5/9/22
On this day we rode the buses over to the northeast side of the Old City and entered the courtyard of St. Anne’s Church, the grounds of which house the ruins of the Pool of Bethseda (John 5:1-9).
Entering the courtyard...
Entering the church itself…
Saint Anne’s is devoted to healing as was the Pool of Bethseda.
Pool of Bethseda complex…
Site and ruins of the Pool of Bethseda complex.
Next stop: The City of David
(2 Samuel 5:6-10)
Underneath the City of David plaza lies the ruins of King David’s palace!
Down, down, down…
Hezekiah’s tunnel…
Next stop: Pool of Siloam
Walking to the Pool of Siloam…
North steps of the Pool of Siloam (John 9:1-7).
Next stop: Palace of Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned after his arrest (Matthew 26:57).
While the actual Palace of Caiaphas no longer exists, the Church of Peter Gallicanto commemorates the Denials of Peter and the place of Jesus’ imprisonment after his arrest.
Underneath the church are caves which served as dungeons and thought to have held Jesus here after his arrest
The caves…
Outside of the church is an old path that leads from the area of the upper room and takes one to the Garden of Gethsemane.
​
It is thought that Jesus and his disciples came this way after that last Passover dinner.
We left the area of Caiaphas Palace and walked to the Jewish Quarters Square for a late lunch. Our path took us through the Zion Gate which is still pockmarked with bullet holes from the 1967 6-day war.
We ate a late lunch and did a little shopping before meeting up at the menorah (sort of).
Continuing our walk, we had to go through an area that had been recently uncovered as an old Roman shopping mall (Agora), Note the difference in street level as there is generally a 6–12 feet difference in elevation since the 1st century AD throughout the Old City of Jerusalem.
Our next stop was a little bit of a hike to the southern steps of the Temple.
Heading to the southern steps…
The southern (retaining) wall of the Temple complex.
The southern steps led to the entrance of the Temple for the common people after they had cleansed themselves in the ritual baths that are located all over (including the Pool of Siloam).
The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134. They are also called Pilgrim Songs. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133) and one to Solomon (127), while the remaining ten are anonymous.
Each of the psalms in this collection begins with the title “A Song of Ascents.” While perhaps they were not originally composed for this purpose, these psalms were later grouped together for use in traveling toward Jerusalem for the yearly Jewish festivals.
The steps here are comprised of a short step then a longer platform step, 30 in all comprised of 15 pairs. Tradition says that for each platform step, pilgrims would stop and sing a Song of Ascent (15 in all).
The Songs of Ascent:
Psalm 120: God’s presence during distress
Psalm 121: Joyful praise to the Lord
Psalm 122: Prayer for Jerusalem
Psalm 123: Patience for God’s mercy
Psalm 124: Help comes from the Lord
Psalm 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people
Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things
Psalm 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts
Psalm 128: Joy for those who follow God’s ways
Psalm 129: A cry for help to the Lord
Psalm 130: A prayer of repentance
Psalm 131: Surrender as a child to the Lord
Psalm 132: God’s sovereign plan for His people
Psalm 133: Praise of brotherly fellowship and unity
Psalm 134: Praise to God in His temple
Headed to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount…
Arriving at the Western Wall
In the evening we took a taxi to see the Center Market of Jerusalem….
THE JOURNEY
DAY 9 IN ISRAEL
Tuesday, 5/10/22
After Yad Vashem (no pictures allowed in the actual Museum) we reflected on the events of that time, but also acknowledged that the response of the world powers after the war allowed for the formation of the nation of Israel which had not existed since the Roman destruction in 70 AD.
Our next stop was a lunch treat to have an American meal!
