MAGDALA, BET SHE’AN, WILDERNESS BAPTISMAL SITE, JERUSALEM

GOOGLE MAP: MAGDALA, BET SHE’AN, WILDERNESS BAPTISMAL SITE, JERUSALEM

MAGDALA

BET SHE’AN

This place was pretty cool! Most of this was underground until the 1990’s. It makes me want to go see what else is underground! A hill is probably not just a hill!

JORDAN RIVER – QASR A YAHUD

SECULAR HISTORY

The Jordan River is part of the Syro-African Depression, also known as the Jordan Rift Valley. The lowest point of the rift is the Dead Sea (lowest land elevation on Earth). In fact, the entire Jordan River flows below sea level. It is the only one in the world like this.

From 1948 to 1967 the eastern border of Israel was the old city of Jerusalem. In 1967 Israel pushed the Jordanians back across the river and established the river as its eastern boundary. Today the river is neither deep nor wide because of Israel and Jordan diverting water off of it for irrigation purposes.

The Jordan River is mentioned in the Bible over 185 times.

OLD TESTAMENT

Abraham allowed Lot to choose this fertile valley as his settling place when they split their camps. Genesis 13

Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land (see the promise in Genesis 13 above) through the Jordan River from the East side. They crossed over close to Jericho when the priests stepped in with Ark of the Covenant and the waters slopped flowing as if an invisible dam were holding the waters back. The river backed up as far as the town of Adam. People on the walls of Jericho could’ve seen the sight. Joshua 3-4

Years later, the prophet Elijah and his apprentice Elisha retreated to the banks of the Jordan River, using the river as a natural barrier of protection against threats from Israel’s king. At the river, Elijah took his coat and struck the waters, which soon parted for them to cross. Once safe on the eastern side, Elijah was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind and chariot of fire. With a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and coat in hand, Elisha struck the waters of the Jordan River to return to the western banks and begin his own ministry. This was around the same area of the Jordan River close to Jericho. 2 Kings 2:1-18

NEW TESTAMENT

The Jordan River played an important role in preparing people for the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist preached at the river regularly and baptized everyone who repented. Jesus came to John at the Jordan River to be baptized and fulfill Scripture. Mark 1:9, Luke 3:2–3. The next day Andrew and other disciples started following Jesus. John 1:25-51

More information: The Jordan River – See the Holy Land

Jericho is also known as the “City of Palms” and is reputed to be one of the oldest cities on Earth as well as the lowest by sea level. It is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible and is the place of one of the most well know battles led by Joshua. Joshua 2,6

Centuries later, Elisha purified a spring in Jericho by throwing salt into it. 2 Kings 2:19-22

We did not get the chance to go to Jericho since it is occupied mostly by Muslims and tensions are a bit high right now, but you could see the city from the highway. I could visualize so many of the stories of the Bible right here.

More information: Jericho – See the Holy Land

JERUSALEM

I didn’t know that the entrance into Jerusalem would be so dramatic! Apparently they do this for every tour. Right as you enter the tunnel through the mountain, they begin the song. The song climaxes just as you exit the tunnel and see the east side of the Temple Mount to the left! Gracious what a sight!

The Olive Tree Store in “At Tur” (The Mount). Most things were too expensive for my budget but they were definitely beautiful and impressive!

Our hotel while in Jerusalem… Dan Panorama.

We learned a very important cultural lesson while staying here. You can not mix meat and dairy during a meal. It’s not kosher. We noticed this when we couldn’t find butter at dinner time. It was only out at breakfast. Someone in our group took a bunch of butter from breakfast and tried to smuggle it in during dinner. They were caught and told to take the butter back to their room. The next day, we found a Papa John’s pizza place down the road and enjoyed some cheese mixed with pepperoni on a pizza. When we tried to bring leftovers into the dining hall of the hotel, we were stopped and said it was not allowed. The worker kindly explained the reasoning to us and we were respectful. It comes from the Scriptures about not cooking a kid (baby goat) in its mothers milk. So the people have taken this a step further and prohibit the two in the same room together. They view it as mixing life with death.