Tuesday, March 11 – Day 3
The day started with a 6 a.m. wake-up. A number of people enjoyed the beauty of the Mediterranean beach. The sun and 60 degree morning temperatures were wonderful too (it would remain sunny and mild the entire day). After loading the bus, we departed for our first site on this first full day of touring – Caesarea. This city built by Herod the Great was quite impressive. We saw the theater (where we read from Acts 10, 12, and 26, as well as sang “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” together), palace, hippodrome, numerous mosaics, the harbor area, and the Crusader walls and gate, and marble statutes. Next was Mt. Carmel. We ate “falafel” for lunch at a restaurant owned for many years by a “Druze” family. Ascending the mountain range and the top peak called Muhraqa, we read the story of Elijah (1 Kings 18) and sang together in the Carmelite chapel. The view of the Jezreel Valley below was wonderfully clear! From here we could see the Nazareth Ridge (Luke 4), Mt. Tabor (Judges 4-5), the Hill of Moreh (Judges 6-7), and Mt Gilboa (1 Samuel 31).
Driving about 30 minutes, we arrived at our next stop – Megiddo. We climbed the “tel” (ancient mound) where we saw various gate structures (Early Bronze – Iron Age/Israelite), a storehouse, and a stable built by King Solomon. We read from Revelation 16 and rejoiced in God’s ultimate redemptive victory over His enemies. We ended the tour by descending down to the water system and tunnel complex. Crossing the Jezreel Valley, our final stop was the precipice of Nazareth. The visibility, especially to the east) was spectacular, with the mountains and even towns of Jordan glimmering in the sunlight. We read from John 1 and Luke 4.
We arrived at our hotel in Tiberias about 6:15. We enjoyed dinner and then an optional walk along the water’s edge. Our first view of the Sea (Lake) of Galilee (Kinneret) was special. We look forward to spending the next two days in this area of Lower and Upper Galilee, and in the Golan.
Wednesday, March 12 – Day 4
We plan to visit the Golan Heights: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Nimrod, Bental, and Qatzrin.