THE MINISTRY OF JESUS IN ISRAEL

Jesus grew up in Nazareth. When He was about 30 years old He went to John the Baptist at the river Jordan. He was baptised and John saw the Holy Spirit coming down on Him like a dove. Jesus was annointed and ready for His ministry in the Holy Land. From the river He was led by the Spirit into the desert near Jericho. "Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with Him" (Lk 4:14)

On the Sabbath Jesus went to the synagogue of Nazareth. The people knew Him as the son of Joseph and Mary and did not accept him teaching from the Scriptures. He left and travelled to the Sea of Galilee. Here Jesus selected most of his disciples. He decided to settle in Capernaum from where He continued his ministry.

The sun rises over the Sea of Galilee

Like all faithful Jews Jesus often travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish pilgrim festivals at the Temple. He often stayed on the Mount of Olives with his disciples and became a close friend of Lazarus and his family in Bethany on the other side of the Mount from Jerusalem. Along the way to Jerusalem Jesus passed through Jericho and on His way back to Galilee Jesus once passed through Samaria where He ministered to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.

Jesus taught and healed people at several places around and near the Sea of Galilee. He also went to Caesarea-Philippi and the region of the Decapolis.

Then He and his disciples travelled to Jerusalem - for their last Passover.