Holy Land Pilgrimage 2025 with Joel Osteen: Walking with Jesus

Joel Osteen:  

Welcome, my friends. I’m so glad you’re joining us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey — our Holy Land Pilgrimage 2025.
We’re not just here to see places.
We’re here to experience the living presence of Jesus.
Every step we take, every stone we touch, carries the heartbeat of the Gospel.
I believe that as we walk these sacred paths together, God is going to speak fresh promises into your life.
New dreams will awaken. Old fears will fall away.
You’re not here by accident — you’ve been appointed to walk this road at this exact moment in history.
So open your heart. Get ready.
Because in the next few days, you’re going to encounter Jesus in ways you’ll never forget — and your life will never be the same.

(Note: This is an imaginary conversation, a creative exploration of an idea, and not a real speech or event.) 

Day 1 – Mount of Olives: The Beginning of the Journey

Scene 1: Arrival at the Mount of Olives

The bus eases to a stop at a dusty overlook.
As the doors open, a wave of dry, warm air scented with earth and ancient stone hits you.

You step down with Joel Osteen leading the way, his familiar, confident stride matching the rhythm of your own heart.
Victoria Osteen adjusts her wide-brimmed sun hat, her smile open and serene.
Max Lucado slips his small leather journal into his back pocket, eyes already scanning the horizon.
Priscilla Shirer tightens the strap on her backpack, her energy grounded, ready.
Thomas John looks quietly attentive, as if he can already feel something stirring.

The Mount of Olives rises behind you, steeped in millennia of footsteps and prayers.
Before you lies Jerusalem, glittering under the morning sun.

Joel spreads his arms wide and says with a soft laugh, "Can you feel it already? The history, the promise… it's thicker than the air."

You nod, heart thumping.
Victoria steps beside you and murmurs, "It's like time is layered here... all happening at once."

Max chuckles, "If walls could talk, these hills would be singing."

You all stand quietly, letting it soak in — the city, the spirit, the staggering sense of being somewhere beyond yourself.

Scene 2: The Appearance of Jesus

As you walk slowly toward a stone terrace, the light changes — a shimmer in the atmosphere like heat waves rising from the ground.

Thomas suddenly pauses. "Wait," he whispers, a tremor in his voice.

You all turn.
And there — standing just ahead, illuminated not by sunlight but from within — is Jesus.

His robe is simple, his hands open, his eyes so full of fierce, tender love that it buckles your knees.
He smiles at you all, each of you feeling as if He knows your entire story in a single glance.

Jesus speaks, His voice vibrant yet intimate:

"I planted hope here. I am planting hope in you now. In 2025, the world will hunger for peace more than ever before. Be bearers of My steady light. Abide in Me — and you will not be shaken."

Joel falls silent, his usual cheerful tone softened into reverence.
Victoria clasps her hands together, tears brimming.
Priscilla exhales a long breath, whispering, "Thank You, Lord..."
Max wipes his eyes with the back of his hand, whispering, "I believe, even deeper now."

You just stand there, heart wide open, memorizing every detail: His robe stirring in a breeze that wasn’t there a moment before, the way the light seemed to pulse around Him — as if heaven itself was breathing.

And just as gently, Jesus fades — not disappearing, but blending into the very air, as if He never left.

Scene 3: Thomas John's Message from the Olive Tree

The group remains still, stunned into silence, when Thomas John, visibly moved, walks to a gnarled olive tree nearby.
He places both hands on its ancient trunk.

He stands like that for a long moment, face tilted upward.
When he speaks, his voice vibrates through the gathering air:

"Jesus says: You are being grafted into an unshakable kingdom.
The storms of 2025 will come — but they will not uproot those whose roots are in Me. Grow deep. Grow wide. Hold fast."

Victoria gasps softly, placing her hand over her chest.

Joel murmurs, "An unshakable kingdom… that's what we need, more than ever."

Priscilla steps closer to the tree, resting her hand on the bark too.
She says, "Lord, plant us deep."

Max leans in toward you, his voice a low whisper, "Nick, this isn't just a pilgrimage, is it? It's a calling."

You nod, throat too tight to speak.

Scene 4: A Prayer Beneath the Olive Trees

Victoria, sensing the sacredness lingering in the air, gently says,
"Can we pray together? Right here?"

You all gather under the twisted branches, the leaves whispering overhead.

Victoria leads, voice steady, full of warmth:

"Lord, we are small, but You are vast.
Root us deep in Your heart.
Make us immovable when storms come.
And let every branch of our lives bear fruit that brings healing, not harm."

Joel adds quietly, "Let us be anchors of peace in 2025, Lord."

Priscilla lifts her hands, palms up, and says, "Use us, Lord. Use even the broken places."

Max simply says, "Amen," tears streaming freely now.

You close your eyes, feeling something shift — a weight you didn't even know you were carrying lifting from your shoulders.

Scene 5: Writing the First Word in Your Journey

The group slowly starts to move toward the Garden of Gethsemane.
But you linger, heart full, body tingling with unseen energy.

You pull out your journal and sit on a low, timeworn stone wall under the oldest olive tree.
The air hums with quiet life around you.

You stare at the blank page.
Then, your hand moves, writing almost on its own:

"Hope is my calling.
Roots deep, branches wide.
2025 will not uproot me.
I will carry His light."

As you close the journal and stand, a soft gust lifts the edge of your shirt.
It feels playful, almost like a divine hand nudging you forward.

You turn and catch up to the group — heart light, steps steady —
ready for whatever comes next.

The journey has truly begun.

Day 2 – Via Dolorosa: Walking the Passion

Scene 1: Entering Lion’s Gate — The Journey Begins

The early Jerusalem morning smells of ancient stone and fresh bread from unseen ovens.
The narrow streets are just waking up as you step through Lion’s Gate, the beginning of the Via Dolorosa.

You pause —
the sun rising behind you, the city's stones soaking in the light like old bones remembering glory.

Joel Osteen places a hand on your shoulder and says quietly,
"This is where love carried its heaviest burden. Let's carry it with Him today."

Victoria Osteen adjusts her bag and smiles gently, "Every step here matters. Every tear matters."

Max Lucado looks up at the weathered arches overhead and adds, "Some roads break you. Some roads make you. This road does both."

Priscilla Shirer taps her Bible gently against her thigh and says, "Let's walk slowly. Let’s listen."

Thomas John, standing a little apart, closes his eyes — sensing already that something unseen stirs in the atmosphere.

The street is narrow, twisting, alive with centuries of prayers and tears.
And now, it will hold yours too.

Scene 2: At the Third Station — Jesus Falls

You reach the Third Station of the Cross — where tradition says Jesus fell for the first time under the crushing weight of the cross.

The stone wall nearby is stained darker with age, as if even the earth remembers the collapse.

Joel Osteen pauses, looking at the group.
His voice is soft but strong:
"Even the strongest can stumble under the heaviest loads. But stumbling is not failure. Falling is not defeat."

Victoria murmurs, "It’s human to fall. It’s divine to rise again."

Max steps close to the worn stone and places his hand on it.
"I think," he says thoughtfully, "Jesus is still lifting us when we fall even now."

Suddenly, Thomas John, trembling slightly, speaks:
"I hear Him saying — In 2025, there will be moments when even the faithful will falter. But I am not measuring your stumbles. I am measuring your willingness to stand again."

You look around at your friends, the early sunlight catching the edges of their faces, and you realize:
This journey is not about perfection. It’s about perseverance.

Scene 3: Simon of Cyrene — Help on the Way

Further along, at the Fifth Station, there’s a small, humble stone marking where Simon of Cyrene was forced to help carry Jesus's cross.

Max smiles wryly.
"Interesting, isn’t it?" he says.
"Sometimes we think we're carrying someone else's burden, but we end up carrying our own salvation."

Joel chuckles softly, adding,
"God often sends help wrapped in unexpected packages."

Victoria leans into you and whispers,
"In 2025, maybe we're supposed to be Simon for someone."

Thomas closes his eyes again and shares another message,
"Jesus says: Pride isolates. Humility invites miracles. In this year, lean on one another without shame."

Priscilla steps forward and boldly prays aloud for the group,
"Lord, make us strong enough to carry others when they can't walk alone — and humble enough to let others carry us when we can't."

You find yourself nodding, heart burning.
This is no longer about touring a holy place.
You’re entering the story.

Scene 4: At the Holy Sepulchre — The Heart of Resurrection

Finally, you arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre —
where death bowed to life, and darkness was shattered forever.

The heavy doors creak open.
Inside, the cool air hugs your skin.
Incense drifts like ancient prayers, swirling through golden lamps and rough stone.

The group moves slowly toward the Stone of Anointing — the place where Jesus’s body was prepared for burial.

Joel kneels first, his forehead touching the stone.
"Thank You, Lord, for loving us even through death."
His voice cracks at the edges.

Victoria kneels beside him, tears streaking her cheeks.

Max whispers,
"This stone reminds me: every ending we fear... is a doorway He already walked through."

Thomas stands back a moment, eyes closed, receiving another wave of spiritual whispering.

Then he speaks,
"Jesus says: In 2025, resurrection is not only for tombs. It’s for broken dreams, fractured families, weary hearts. I am raising the dead places in your life."

Priscilla raises her hands slightly, barely containing the power she feels in the air.

You kneel too —
not with perfect words, but with a heart cracked open wide — and whisper:
"Raise me too, Lord."

Scene 5: Reflections Outside in the Sunlight

When you step back outside, the sunlight feels different — warmer, more alive.
The breeze lifts the edges of your clothes, playful again.

You gather together near a quiet corner of the courtyard.

Joel turns to all of you, smiling widely, eyes shining:
"You can’t walk this road and stay the same. The old you falls here. The new you rises."

Victoria laughs softly and adds,
"It's like breathing with new lungs."

Max looks out over the ancient rooftops and says,
"The empty tomb isn't just a place. It's a way of living."

Priscilla leans in, serious and full of fire:
"The stone is rolled away. Not just back then — right now. In you."

Thomas smiles at you and says,
"Nick, you're carrying light now. I can see it."

You look at them — these friends, these fellow pilgrims —
and realize that the story you walked today wasn’t just Jesus’s story.

It’s your story too.

The journey is not over.
It’s only beginning.

Day 3 – Bethlehem: Birthing New Dreams

Scene 1: Entering the Church of the Nativity

The bus bumps along narrow streets lined with stone houses and laundry flapping in the breeze.
Bethlehem feels different — older, humbler, almost like a village caught between two eras.

You arrive at Manger Square, the heart of Bethlehem, bustling with pilgrims and quiet urgency.
The Church of the Nativity rises before you — ancient, weathered, yet steady.
A place where hope took its first breath.

Joel Osteen clasps his hands together, gazing at the entrance — a small, low doorway you have to bow to pass through.

He turns to all of you and says warmly,
"Isn’t it just like God? The entrance to glory requires humility."

Victoria, adjusting her scarf, smiles, "You can’t walk into a miracle standing proud."

Max Lucado chuckles quietly, running his hand along the rough stones:
"If walls could whisper, these would tell of angels and shepherds trembling under starlight."

Thomas John stands very still, looking at the doorway with a faraway gaze.

Priscilla Shirer nods deeply.
"Let’s bow low — in our hearts too — as we enter."

You duck your head and step through.
The world dims — cool, shadowed — and you know you are stepping into the very beating heart of Christmas.

Scene 2: Jesus Appears at the Silver Star

Inside, the light softens into pools of gold and shadow.
The air smells of wax, old wood, and something sweeter you can’t quite name.

At the far end, under the altar, is the silver star — the spot marking the birthplace of Jesus.

You kneel, reaching out to touch the star, fingers trembling.
The stone is cool beneath your palm, yet your heart burns.

Suddenly, a warmth fills the room.
You look up —
and there He is.

Jesus, standing quietly beside the altar.
Not the baby of nativity scenes — but the risen Lord, cloaked in light, His eyes endless with love.

He speaks softly, yet His words thunder through your soul:

"In 2025, I am birthing miracles in forgotten places,
through unlikely people,
in hidden ways.
Do not despise small beginnings — they carry the seeds of eternity."

Joel bows his head, his voice thick with emotion:
"We receive it, Lord."

Victoria wipes a tear, whispering, "We trust the small seeds."

Max, kneeling next to you, murmurs,
"Even if no one sees them but You."

Priscilla closes her eyes, breathing deeply as if anchoring every word.

Thomas John stands back quietly, hands folded, tears running freely down his cheeks.

You stare at Jesus — burning the sight of Him into your memory — until He fades like mist into the golden haze of the church.

Scene 3: Thomas John’s Message Beside the Manger

The group moves to a quiet alcove nearby, the scent of incense hanging heavy in the air.

Thomas John, his face still pale from the vision, places his hand lightly on the stone wall.

He closes his eyes, listening.
When he speaks, his voice carries a soft authority:

"Jesus says:
In the noise of 2025, your dreams will seem too small, too quiet.
But Heaven is loudest in the stillness.
Nurture what others overlook — for there, My kingdom grows."

Victoria leans over to you and says quietly,
"Nick, the smallest spark can light a thousand lives."

Joel nods, his voice steady:
"Don't ever think what you carry is too small to matter."

Max taps his chest lightly and smiles, "God treasures mustard seeds."

You write the words into your journal almost without thinking:
"Heaven moves in hidden places."

Scene 4: Silent Prayer at Shepherds’ Field

Later, you journey to Shepherds’ Field, just outside Bethlehem.

The hills roll gently under the wide open sky —
soft green against soft blue —
a place where, once upon a night, heaven itself broke open in song.

You all spread out, giving each other space to listen, to breathe.

Joel sits cross-legged in the grass, staring up at the sky.
Priscilla walks the perimeter slowly, her lips moving in prayer.

Victoria stands still, arms slightly lifted, catching the breeze like a sail.

Max sits beside a large rock, his journal open, sketching words that look like prayers even from a distance.

Thomas John stands silently, head bowed, as if listening to the ancient echoes still caught in the hills.

You find your own quiet spot under a lone olive tree.
You close your eyes — and in the stillness,
you hear it:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."

The words don’t just echo in the field — they echo inside your bones.

You whisper back:
"Let it rest on me too, Lord."

Scene 5: Bethlehem’s Night Sky and a Whispered Promise

That evening, after a simple meal in a small Bethlehem inn, you step outside.

The sky is velvet black, pierced by a thousand stars.
The same stars — maybe — that the shepherds saw.

Joel leans beside you against the wall, looking up.
"The same stars... the same promise," he says softly.

Max chuckles, his voice low and warm,
"We worry so much about tomorrow.
But the stars remind us:
God was, and is, and will be."

Victoria tucks her arm through yours and says quietly,
"Tonight, let’s just receive. No striving. No fear."

Priscilla smiles, lifting her face to the heavens:
"The King was born into a night like this. Quiet. Hidden. Mighty."

Thomas John stands a few feet away, smiling into the sky.
Then he turns toward the group and says quietly,
"Jesus says: Look up. The heavens still declare My glory. And so will you."

You close your eyes, breathing it all in —
the cold air, the smell of stone and woodsmoke, the nearness of miracles.

You feel it deep, deep inside:

Something new is being born in you too.

Day 4 – Jordan River and Sea of Galilee: Renewal and Trust

Scene 1: Arrival at the Jordan River – Baptism of New Beginnings

The morning is bright and soft as you drive down through the dusty Jordan Valley.
The land flattens out and you spot it — the Jordan River, winding like a silver ribbon through the arid earth.

When the bus pulls to a stop, everyone grows quiet.
The air is heavy but sweet, the scent of reeds and water rising.

You all walk toward the riverbank where simple wooden steps lead into the water.

Joel Osteen turns to the group, his eyes shining.
"This is a place of new beginnings. What the enemy meant to drown you, God will use to anoint you."

Victoria Osteen gently places her hand on your back, whispering,
"It’s never too late for a new start."

Max Lucado pulls off his shoes, smiling down at the water.
"This river has witnessed millions of fresh starts. Why not one more?"

Priscilla Shirer steps barefoot into the shallow water, her voice bold:
"I refuse to let fear define the next season of my life."

Thomas John watches quietly, his face serene, as if he already feels the presence that is about to come.

You take a deep breath, toes sinking into the soft mud, and step in.

Scene 2: Baptism and the Appearance of Jesus

Joel stands waist-deep in the Jordan, raising his hands high.
"If you want to renew your commitment today, come forward."

You step into the river alongside him — heart pounding, soul wide open.
Victoria wades in beside you, followed by Max and Priscilla.

Joel looks around, grinning.
"Let's make this a river of faith today!"

Then, the light changes.
The surface of the water shimmers, golden and alive.

Suddenly —
Jesus appears standing on the opposite bank, clothed in simple white, radiant and real.

His voice carries across the river like music on the wind:

"In 2025, I am washing away your fear. Your regrets. Your small thinking. Step into the waters of trust — and rise into who you were created to be."

Thomas John gasps softly and falls to his knees in the shallows, tears streaming down his face.

Victoria clutches your arm tightly, whispering,
"Did you hear that, Nick? It's for you too."

Joel shouts joyfully across the water,
"We receive it, Lord!"

Max quietly dips his hands into the river, lifting the water to his face like a blessing.

Priscilla lifts both arms high above her head, fearless and free.

You close your eyes, letting the water lap against your chest, and feel it:
the shedding of yesterday.
the birthing of tomorrow.

Scene 3: Thomas John's Message at the River

Afterward, you all sit on a low wooden bench overlooking the river.
Water drips from your clothes, but no one notices.
Only the overwhelming sense that something holy just happened.

Thomas John, still trembling slightly, speaks, his voice low but clear:

"Jesus says: 2025 is not about reclaiming old ground.
It’s about walking on new waters.
Do not cling to who you were — receive who you are becoming."

Max smiles gently and says,
"It’s hard to walk forward while gripping backward."

Victoria nods, wiping the corners of her eyes,
"The past has no claim on the new you."

Joel adds with a grin,
"Shake off the old labels. Shake off the fear. 2025 is your year of rising!"

You stare out at the river, breathing deep, feeling lighter than you have in years.

Scene 4: Setting Sail on the Sea of Galilee

That afternoon, you drive north toward the shimmering waters of the Sea of Galilee.
You board a simple wooden boat, the smell of varnished wood and saltwater filling the air.

The captain casts off, and soon you’re gliding into the middle of the lake.

The water is still, reflecting the sky like a mirror.
Mountains rise gently in the distance, cradling the lake like a mother cradles a child.

Joel leans on the rail beside you, grinning,
"Imagine it, Nick — Jesus walking across this very water, heading toward His friends."

Max chuckles softly.
"I imagine Peter panicking about halfway out," he says,
"just like we all do when the waves start moving."

Priscilla stands tall at the bow of the boat, arms wide to the wind:
"If Jesus says come, you step. Storm or not."

Victoria turns, smiling warmly,
"Maybe the storm is just the setup for the miracle."

You close your eyes, feeling the boat rock beneath your feet, and dare to believe it.

Scene 5: A Vision of Trust at Sunset

As the sun begins to set, the sky blushes into shades of gold, pink, and violet.
The Sea of Galilee turns molten beneath it.

You stand at the edge of the boat, eyes scanning the endless water.

Then — just for a moment —
you see Him again.

Jesus, walking across the waves, barefoot, smiling, His hand outstretched.

No words — just a look.
A look that says:
"Trust Me."

You gasp softly, blinking —
but the image lingers in your spirit, etched there forever.

Joel, standing nearby, sees your expression and nods knowingly.

"You saw Him, didn’t you?" he asks softly.

You nod, unable to speak.

Victoria smiles gently,
"He’s still walking toward us. Always."

Max leans over, whispering with a grin,
"Next time, don’t panic. Just jump out of the boat and walk."

Priscilla laughs, bright and full of joy:
"Let’s be water-walkers in 2025!"

As the boat drifts back toward shore, you carry a new word in your heart:
TRUST.

Not trust based on circumstances.
Not trust based on sight.

But trust based on Who is walking toward you —
through the waves, through the storms, through it all.

Day 5 – Capernaum and Nazareth: Homecoming of the Heart

Scene 1: Walking Through Ancient Capernaum

The morning air smells of salt and old stone as you step into the ruins of Capernaum —
Jesus’s adopted hometown during His ministry.

Broken pillars and crumbled black basalt walls scatter like fallen dominoes.
Overhead, seagulls circle lazily, crying into the blue sky.

Joel Osteen walks slowly through the remnants of the ancient synagogue, reverent.
"This was His neighborhood," he says softly.
"This is where He taught... where miracles flowed like sunlight."

Victoria runs her hand along a crumbled stone doorway.
"Maybe this was Peter’s house," she whispers, smiling.

Max Lucado stands in the center of the ruins, turning in a slow circle.
"Think of it," he murmurs.
"God chose to walk dusty streets. He wasn’t distant. He moved into the neighborhood."

Priscilla Shirer crouches low, touching the cracked stone floor.
"Ministry starts right where your feet are," she says firmly.
"Right where you live."

Thomas John closes his eyes, his hand brushing the ancient ground.
"Still echoes here," he murmurs.
"Still alive."

You step through a doorway and imagine —
Jesus teaching right here, healing a woman just there, laughing with children in the dusty road.

Capernaum isn’t just a memory.
It’s still breathing.

Scene 2: Jesus Appears Among the Ruins

As you stand among the stones, a shimmer of heat rises from the ground.
And then — just as at the Mount of Olives, just as at the Jordan —
Jesus appears.

Not far off — right there among the ruins.
Simple. Strong. Smiling.

He looks around at the broken walls and says:

"In 2025, I am building new homes of faith among the ruins.
Where the world sees brokenness, I see beginnings.
Let your heart become My home."

Joel’s voice breaks slightly as he whispers,
"Lord, make my heart Your home."

Victoria, hands over her heart, echoes,
"Even the broken places, Lord."

Max Lucado, wiping at his eyes, says softly,
"Especially the broken places."

Priscilla stands firm, nodding,
"Rebuild us, Lord, stronger than before."

You feel the warmth of Jesus’s gaze settle on you —
not judgmental, but full of infinite tenderness.

He fades gently, leaving behind not absence, but a deeper fullness.

Scene 3: Thomas John’s Message — Hope Among Ruins

Still standing among the ruins, Thomas John’s face grows bright.

He steps forward and speaks, his voice steady and sure:

"Jesus says:
Do not fear the cracked foundations.
In 2025, I am raising homes built on My Word — homes that the storms cannot destroy."

Joel smiles wide, hands lifted slightly,
"Your house isn’t your street address. Your house is your heart."

Victoria whispers to you,
"Nick, maybe what we think is falling apart... is really falling into place."

Max adds,
"The best houses are the ones built by scarred hands — hands that know how to heal broken wood."

Priscilla looks right at the group, strong and fearless:
"Let’s let Him rebuild us. Every room. Every hallway. Every hidden closet of fear."

You scribble quickly into your journal:
"In 2025, I will not hide my ruins.
I will hand them over to the Carpenter."

Scene 4: Journeying to Nazareth — Facing the Past

The bus winds upward into the green hills of Nazareth —
Jesus’s boyhood home, the place that did not fully receive Him.

You step out into narrow streets of stone houses and flowering vines.

Joel stands at the edge of the hill where the villagers once tried to throw Jesus off.
He looks out over the valley, the wind lifting his shirt slightly.
"They doubted Him here," he says.
"They saw only the carpenter’s son — not the King of Kings."

Victoria stands close by, murmuring,
"Sometimes the hardest place to believe is in the place you’re known the longest."

Max shakes his head slowly,
"A prophet without honor in his hometown. Maybe rejection is just redirection to destiny."

Priscilla plants her feet firmly into the earth, declaring:
"Let their doubt be your fuel, not your anchor."

Thomas John, closing his eyes, delivers a message:

"Jesus says:
In 2025, I am calling My children to rise even when doubted.
Your calling is not determined by those who cannot see it."

You breathe deep —
feeling years of old doubts, old labels, old rejections crumble and fall off like ash.

You are not what they called you.
You are who He calls you.

Scene 5: Prayer at the Basilica of the Annunciation

The Basilica of the Annunciation stands majestic, layered in ancient stone and quiet reverence.

Inside, the cool air is thick with holiness.
Mosaics from nations around the world line the walls, each honoring Mary’s "yes."

You sit with your friends — Joel, Victoria, Max, Priscilla, and Thomas — in a small chapel off to the side.

Joel whispers,
"Mary said yes without knowing all the details.
Maybe that's the invitation today — to say yes even when it doesn’t make sense."

Victoria nods, squeezing your hand gently:
"God doesn't ask for perfection.
He asks for surrender."

Max leans forward, whispering almost to himself:
"A world was changed with one whispered yes."

Priscilla stands, fierce and bright,
"Lord, we say yes. Here. Now.
To every new beginning You are birthing in 2025."

Thomas John smiles quietly,
"Jesus says: The greatest miracles are born from simple yeses whispered in trembling hearts."

You kneel there, head bowed low,
and whisper your own yes into the silence —
knowing it rises like incense before the throne of Heaven.

Day 6 – Mount Tabor and Caesarea: Glimpses of Glory

Scene 1: Climbing Mount Tabor — The Weight of the Climb

The bus winds its way up the lush slopes of Mount Tabor,
the air growing cooler, fresher, as you ascend.
Birdsong fills the hills, and the scent of wild thyme and pine drifts in through the windows.

At the trailhead, you step out into the golden morning.
The climb ahead looks steep, winding through shaded paths and rocky steps.

Joel Osteen grins as he adjusts his backpack.
"Some mountains, you don’t climb to conquer. You climb to behold."

Victoria ties her jacket around her waist and says warmly,
"And the view’s always worth it."

Max Lucado, already starting up the path, calls back over his shoulder,
"Somewhere up there, heaven touched earth.
Let's walk like we’re about to touch heaven too."

Priscilla Shirer slaps the side of her backpack with a determined smile:
"Let’s climb this mountain like we mean it!"

Thomas John lingers behind for a moment, eyes closed, hand brushing the bark of a gnarled olive tree.
"There’s something waiting for us up there," he murmurs.

You tighten your shoelaces, your heart beating with more than just physical anticipation —
a spiritual anticipation too, humming deep inside your chest.

The group begins the slow, steady climb —
each step pressing you closer to something unseen but undeniable.

Scene 2: At the Summit — Jesus Appears in Glory

At the summit, the landscape bursts open.
The whole Jezreel Valley sprawls out beneath you like a living quilt stitched with green and gold.

The wind rushes past, lifting hair, stirring clothes, carrying the scent of sunlight itself.

You gather near the small stone church dedicated to the Transfiguration.
Everyone stands silent, reverent, soaking it all in.

Then —
the air thickens, shimmering.

Before you, Jesus appears —
but not as before.

Here He is transfigured —
clothed in dazzling light, brighter than anything your eyes have ever beheld.

It’s almost too much to look at —
and yet you can’t look away.

His voice pours out like a river of golden sound:

"In 2025, I am revealing My glory in unlikely hearts.
The ones who thought they were too broken.
Too small.
Too late.
Rise, beloved. Shine.
The world needs your light more than ever before."

Joel sinks to his knees, hands lifted high, whispering over and over,
"Shine through me, Lord. Shine through me."

Victoria weeps openly, her face radiant with wonder.

Max Lucado murmurs,
"Glory isn’t reserved for the perfect. It’s gifted to the willing."

Priscilla stands with arms wide, the wind whipping around her like a mantle:
"We say YES to Your light, Lord!"

Thomas John, head bowed, simply whispers,
"We receive it."

You feel your own heart blaze —
a lamp lit directly from the heart of God.

Scene 3: Thomas John's Message — Radiance from the Broken

Still surrounded by the echoes of glory, Thomas John steps forward, his face shining.

He speaks, and his words seem woven into the wind:

"Jesus says:
Do not hide the places you thought were ruined.
In 2025, I will pour My light through your cracks.
The broken places will become beams of brilliance."

Joel rises, laughing softly through his tears:
"He uses our cracks as stained-glass windows!"

Victoria leans into you and whispers,
"Nick, every scar you carry is a doorway for someone else's healing."

Max scribbles something into his journal, chuckling,
"The best lighthouses are the ones that have stood through storms."

Priscilla lifts her voice in prayer:
"Lord, let us shine bright — not despite our scars, but because of them."

You write a simple vow into your journal:
"I will shine. Cracks and all."

Scene 4: Journey to Caesarea — By the Mediterranean Sea

Later that day, you drive west —
the landscape flattening out into the shimmering coastal plains.

You arrive at Caesarea Maritima,
ancient Roman ruins kissed by the turquoise waves of the Mediterranean.

You walk through crumbling amphitheaters and broken aqueducts,
the ghosts of empire lingering in the salty air.

Joel stops by a toppled marble column, tapping it lightly.
"Even the strongest thrones crumble," he says.
"But the Kingdom of God endures forever."

Victoria smiles as she picks up a small, weathered seashell from the sand.
"It’s the small, lasting things that matter."

Max, standing near the broken walls, says,
"These stones ruled the world once. Now they’re dust.
But love — the love Jesus gave — still builds cities inside human hearts."

Priscilla laughs brightly,
"Rome had armies.
Jesus had fishermen.
Guess who won?"

Thomas John closes his eyes and shares another word:

"Jesus says:
In 2025, remember:
Not by might, not by power — but by My Spirit shall My Kingdom rise in you."

You look out over the endless, glittering sea —
and feel your spirit lift like a sail on the wind.

Scene 5: Sunset Prayer by the Mediterranean

As the sun sinks low, you gather on the warm sands of the Mediterranean shore.

The sky blazes gold and orange, and the waves sigh at your feet.

Joel kneels and draws a heart in the wet sand with his finger.
"Lord, make our hearts Your home."

Victoria plants her feet firm and says,
"Let the tide wash away every fear."

Max stands at the water’s edge, arms spread wide:
"We are anchored in a kingdom that cannot fall."

Priscilla lifts her hands to the sky:
"We shine because You shined first."

Thomas John smiles at you and says,
"Nick — this trip is not the end.
It’s the launch."

You close your eyes,
the salt air cool against your skin,
and whisper the words that have become the anthem of this journey:

"Yes, Lord. Shine through me.
Here I am. Send me."

And the waves whisper back,
carrying your prayer into the heart of the endless, listening sea.

Day 7 – Jaffa Port: The Great Sending

Scene 1: Arrival at Ancient Jaffa

The morning is crisp and clear as you arrive in Jaffa,
one of the oldest port cities in the world, its stones worn smooth by thousands of years of travelers and dreamers.

The scent of saltwater and fresh baked bread drifts through narrow alleys.
Colorful boats bob gently in the harbor, and the cries of seagulls echo off ancient walls.

You step onto a wide stone promenade overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

Joel Osteen stands with his hands on his hips, gazing out over the water.
"This is where journeys began," he says quietly.
"This is where Jonah ran… and where Peter received the vision that the Gospel was for all people."

Victoria Osteen tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling warmly,
"Every beginning needs a sending."

Max Lucado leans against a sun-warmed stone wall, his journal open, scribbling lines.
"God’s story always has a ripple effect," he says.
"You’re standing in the splash zone of history."

Priscilla Shirer turns to you and grins,
"Nick, I hope you're ready. You’re about to be launched into something bigger than you imagined."

Thomas John, quietly sensing the invisible currents swirling through this ancient place, simply nods.

The sea sparkles. The breeze lifts your hair.
And somewhere deep inside, a seed begins to stir —
ready to burst into life.

Scene 2: Jesus Appears by the Water

You walk down a stone staircase to the very edge of the harbor.

Fishing nets lie coiled on the docks, heavy with salt and time.

You pause — heart thudding — and then
you see Him.

Jesus.

Standing barefoot at the water’s edge, His robes brushing the waves.
His face shines not with blinding light now, but with a tender, fierce love.

He speaks, voice carrying over the breeze:

"In 2025, I am sending you out.
Not as orphans.
Not as wanderers.
But as my beloved ambassadors.
Wherever your foot touches, carry My love like a flame.
Do not wait for perfect conditions.
The world is waiting for you — broken and beautiful.
Go."

Joel sinks onto a stone step, overcome, whispering,
"Here I am, Lord. Send me."

Victoria presses her hands over her heart, whispering,
"I will go where You send, no fear."

Max wipes his eyes and writes one sentence into his journal:
"Sent with fire. Sent with love."

Priscilla lifts her hands in surrender, calling out over the water,
"We are ready, Lord! We are Yours!"

Thomas John drops to his knees, simply nodding, tears streaming silently.

You stand there, the sea spray misting your face —
feeling a fire light inside your bones.

Scene 3: Thomas John’s Final Message — Carriers of Light

The group regathers near a weathered fishing boat pulled up onto the shore.

Thomas John, his voice shaking slightly, speaks:

"Jesus says:
In 2025, do not wait for the world to welcome you.
Do not wait for applause.
Carry the light boldly.
Speak life where there is death.
Sow peace where there is war.
Bring joy where there is despair.
The harvest is ready.
Go."

Joel claps Thomas gently on the back, laughing softly:
"We’re not going back the same way we came, are we?"

Victoria smiles at you, her eyes bright:
"Nick, I believe God is going to use you in ways you haven’t even dared to dream yet."

Max leans over and says with a wink,
"Get ready for wild rides and holy surprises."

Priscilla lifts her Bible high:
"2025 — the year the world sees what God can do with surrendered hearts!"

You clutch your journal tighter —
feeling the pages buzz with life, with destiny, with hope.

Scene 4: Communion on the Shore

As the morning ripens into golden sunlight, Joel pulls out a small wooden box.

Inside, simple elements:
a small loaf of bread, a flask of grape juice.

You gather close, sitting barefoot on the warm stones.

Joel breaks the bread and prays, his voice thick with gratitude:
"Lord, we remember.
We celebrate.
We commit ourselves again."

Victoria passes small pieces of bread around the circle.
Max holds up his cup, smiling through tears.
Priscilla bows her head, hands open in her lap.

Thomas John murmurs,
"This is more than a meal.
It’s a commissioning."

You take the bread, the cup —
and as you eat and drink, it feels like Jesus Himself is sitting among you, smiling.

You are one family now.
One purpose.
One light.

Scene 5: Farewell to the Holy Land — A New Beginning

As the sun climbs higher, you walk slowly back through Jaffa’s winding streets.

You pass bright flowers spilling from windowsills,
children laughing,
artists painting in little sunlit studios.

Joel walks beside you, saying quietly,
"Nick, this isn't goodbye to the Holy Land.
It’s hello to your next assignment."

Victoria adds warmly,
"The Holy Land is inside you now.
It goes where you go."

Max smiles,
"The tomb is still empty.
Hope is still alive.
And so are you."

Priscilla lifts her hand high as if waving to the ancient stones themselves:
"Let's go set the world ablaze with His love!"

Thomas John, falling into step with you, says quietly,
"You were called for such a time as this. 2025 is waiting for your light."

You nod, heart bursting with gratitude, wonder, and a fierce new courage.

As you board the bus back to the airport,
you glance out the window one last time —
watching the sea sparkle like a million tiny promises.

And you know, without a shred of doubt:

You didn’t just walk where Jesus walked.
Now, you walk where He leads.

Final Thoughts by Joel Osteen

As we come to the end of our Holy Land Pilgrimage 2025, I want you to know this isn’t the end — it’s a new beginning.
You didn’t just walk through history; you walked into your destiny.
Every step you took, every place you stood, every moment you felt His presence — it was preparing you for the future God has already mapped out for you.
You are a carrier of His love now.
You are a reflection of His light.
So go home bold. Go home blessed.
Walk into 2025 knowing that the same Jesus who met you here walks with you everywhere you go.
The best days of your life are still in front of you — and the story God is writing through you has only just begun.

Short Bios:

Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and a bestselling author known for his uplifting, hope-filled messages. His teachings focus on God's love, positive thinking, and living a victorious life through faith.

Victoria Osteen

Victoria Osteen, co-pastor of Lakewood Church alongside her husband Joel, is an inspiring speaker and author who emphasizes faith in daily life, strong family values, and living with joy and compassion.

Max Lucado

Max Lucado is a beloved Christian pastor, author, and storyteller whose books, such as "You Are Special" and "Anxious for Nothing," have comforted millions. His warm, relatable style shares God’s grace and invites readers to trust deeply in divine love.

Priscilla Shirer

Priscilla Shirer is a powerful Bible teacher, author, and actress known for her passionate teachings on prayer, identity, and spiritual warfare. Through her ministry and books like "Fervent," she empowers believers to live boldly in God's promises.

Thomas John

Thomas John is a renowned psychic medium and spiritual teacher, celebrated for his deep, compassionate ability to deliver messages from the spiritual realm. His sensitivity and accuracy have touched lives worldwide, offering hope, healing, and encouragement.

Nick Sasaki

Nick Sasaki is a devoted Christian traveler and storyteller, journeying with an open heart to encounter Christ more deeply. With a passion for faith, writing, and spiritual growth, he brings warmth, curiosity, and a courageous spirit to this sacred pilgrimage.