Along the southern route, we stopped at Bet She'an, a city of where the lifeless bodies of King Saul and his son, Jonathan, were hung on the walls. It is an important archaeological dig happening at Bet She'an. Here 27 civilizations were built, including one of the New Testament cities of the Decapolis. When Jesus told the story of The Prodigal Son, this Roman-ruled city, full of all kinds of evil, is a place where the runaway boy might have fled towards after leaving his father's house.
The Jordan River was next on our list. We stopped at the more recently opened location, just east of Jericho. This is believed to be the exact spot where John The Baptist baptized Jesus. Three in our group of 16 were baptized. It was a very joyful event.
Just across the river, maybe only 50 feet away, is the Jordan River baptismal site that Israel shares with the country of Jordan. It was pretty amazing to watch the people on the Jordan side as they watched us on the Israel side. Like this baptismal site in His honor, Jesus is The Way to bring all people together.
Upon leaving the River we drove straight south along the Dead Sea and past the Caves of Engedi to The Fortress of Masada. First, we had lunch and get this, we ate at McDonalds. It was a real treat, if I must say so myself.
This Mighty Fortress, Masada, built by King Herod is important to the Jews. It is like their Alamo. The 70 A.D. story is long and sad, but surely touches the soul deeply. This was my third visit. (Look up Masada on your search engine sometime and read the story.) A song that kept playing in my mind served to get me through this site with a difficult history. The song? "A Mighty Fortress is Our God!"
After the Fortress tour, complete with cable car rides, we stopped at Qumran, the location where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a Bedouin shepherd boy. Across the Dead Sea from this meaningful sight, we viewed Mt. Nebo -- the spot where God led Moses to view The Promised Land.
Done at Qumran, Jerusalem would be our next stop. We took the steep climbing road, yes, the Good Samaritan route straight west and finally entered Jerusalem just before daylight ended.
We shared the elements of Communion overlooking The Old City as our Hebrew guide spoke blessings and concluded by saying: "If you believe in Jesus, Jerusalem belongs to you, because this is His City! Welcome Home!"
Give away your life...
Grateful
Oh Jerusalem!
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