ISRAEL: “The Life and Work of Jesus”
February 3-14, 2025
(Program # 250201, Taught by Dr. Smith)
$3899.00 Land only (Arrange your own air and transfer)
Single Supplement (for those who select to room alone): $1000.00
Day One: Monday, February 3, 2025. DEPARTURE DAY
Depart USA for Tel Aviv (TLV), Israel. Overnight: In flight.
Day Two: Tuesday, February 4, 2025. ARRIVAL DAY
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to the hotel for check in, dinner and a good night’s rest! Overnight: Tel Aviv area. B,D
Day Three: Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Coast to Galilee
Four Conflicts in the Background of the Gospels: Highlighting four example sites, this study focuses on four key conflicts in the background of Jesus’ public ministry. Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth (cave homes), Zippori (Sepphoris). Overnight: by the Sea of Galilee. (3 nights) B,D
Day Four: Thursday, February 6, 2025. Around the Sea of Galilee
Characteristics of the Disciples: Using the four gospel accounts, we will investigate the hints on the background, education and theology of the disciples. Sites: Mt. Arbel, Ancient Boat exhibit, boat ride, Mt. Beatitudes, Capernaum, Qatzrin (Talmudic Village). Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B,D
Day Five: Friday, February 7, 2025. Withdrawals of Jesus with His Disciples
Private Teachings for the Disciples: Based on the five sermons in the Gospel according to Matthew, our focus will be on the common teaching style of the ancient rabbis. Sites: Dan Nature Reserve and Tel Dan (with Abrahamic-period mud brick gate), Banias (Caesarea Philippi), overlook into Syria, Magdala. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B,D
Day Six: Saturday, February 8, 2025. Perean Ministry
The Perean Ministry of Jesus: We will address the issues of the Perean Ministry, with examination of Luke 10-19, the “special section” of this account. Sites: Beth Shean, Jordan Valley, Jericho, Dead Sea. Overnight: Dead Sea spa hotel. (1 nt.) B,D
Day Seven: Sunday, February 9, 2025. Dead Sea
Hebrew Themes of the Wilderness: From the desert storm of Habakkuk, to the salt covenant of David, various Biblical wilderness themes will be highlighted, and then “Up to Jerusalem”. Sites: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Optional camel ride. Overnight: Jerusalem (5 nights). B,D
Day Eight: Monday, February 10, 2025. Messianic Expectations
A.M. Messianic Expectations and Disappointments: With a specific view of the history of “other Messiahs” we will discuss the expectations for the Messiah, and their relationship to the record of the preaching of Jesus. Sites: Emek Tsurim, Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane. P.M. Setting of the Birth Narrative: We will investigate what the Biblical accounts tell us of Jesus’ birth, based on both the Matthew and Luke accounts. Sites: Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field. Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D
Day Nine: Tuesday, February 11, 2025. A Living People
The return of Jews to the land has produced a vibrant and modern society. Sites include: Kfar Etzion, Jewish Quarter (cardo, Broad Wall, lunch), Western Wall, South Wall excavations (Davidson Center). Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D
Day Ten: Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Jesus on Trial
Jewish Questionings and Roman Trials of Jesus: The arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus will be our subject as we journey through the “salvation geography” of Jerusalem in the Gospel According to John. Sites: Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb (with communion). Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D
Day Eleven: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Free day in Jerusalem. Take time to shop, visit other museums not on the program, or go to Ben Yehuda Street (pedestrian mall) and people watch. It is a day to relax and enjoy!
Day Twelve: Friday, February 14, 2025
Depart for flight from Tel Aviv to USA, arriving later the same day.
Every effort will be made to complete the full itinerary. Yet, because conditions are often unpredictable in travel, we reserve the right to make changes during the tour.