The Jordan River and Beth Shan

The Jordan River

We departed from Galilee this morning heading south along the Jordan River, the way Jesus would have travelled to Jerusalem. We made two stops along the Jordan, first in a warmer tributary where several in our group were baptized.

Next, we stopped at the actual place where John would have been baptizing. Interestingly enough, there was a group of Jews here looking at the site as well. We asked our guide, “Why are there Jews here who do not recognized John as a prophet, nor Jesus as Messiah?” He replied by explaining that this is also the place where Joshua is believed to have led the children of Israel into the promise land. Off in the distance, the desert region where Jesus was tempted by the devil was visible.  

Putting it all together, I recognize the power of Christ in our lives – not only to forgive us our sins, but also to anoint us to serve Him with joy and blessing! When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan John tried to stop him. But Jesus said it was necessary to fulfill all righteous. We know our baptism is an outward picture of an inward work of salvation – even so Jesus’ baptism was a picture of His future death and resurrection that would secure our salvation. He became sin that we would become the righteous of God in Him.

Yet, also at Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit came upon Him in the form of a dove. This is a picture of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives that brings us into the life of blessings and victory. Even as the children of Israel saw the waters of the Jordan stand still as they walked across into the land flowing with milk and honey, so Jesus removes our greatest obstacle (sin) to bring us into a life of fullness with Him.

Beth Shan

Next, we were on to Beth Shan where King Saul’s body was fastened to the wall after his death at the hand of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. The Philistine city, which was eventually rebuilt and inhabited by the Greeks and then the Romans, was a debauched city filled with commerce, immorality and idolatry. It was a mile high and an inch deep. The temples housing the foreign gods speak a clear story.

The outside of the temple was grand with its amazing pillars and high staircase, but inside a small god on a small table.  The outside promised so much, the inside was empty. Like an ancient Las Vegas, these ruins paint a perfect picture of the alluring yet unfulfilling nature of sin, and they stand in sharp contrast to the blessing of salvation told at the Jordan River.

Other News:

We saw the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! We came in second in the camel races! We enjoyed some Abraham style hospitality for dinner. Our Jewish guide Rony makes everything interesting (and quite fun)! Somebody’s losing their hair. Yikes!