My Favorite Stop #2 - Baptism in the River Jordan

Yardenit, located at the Jordan River right as it exits the Sea of Galilee, welcomes Christians to the waters of Jordan for baptism.  Its paths are manicured and there are shade coverings for groups to sit in and a large gift shop that carries all sorts of Israel souvenirs is hard to resist.  It was neat to go there and sit on its banks.



There are lots of different types of baptism throughout Christendom and our tour guide explained that she sees it all when taking groups to Yardenit.  She says there are some that sprinkle water over their heads.  Some that come in groups with a priest or minister that performs immersion baptisms and some, like the Greek Orthodox women below, who ritualistically re-baptize themselves over and over again.



These women would go up and down and up and down, kind of like doing bobs in a swimming pool, again and again.  They seemed so happy and full of faith.





Greek Orthodox women wearing skirts and hose (the married women covered their heads, and then men wearing the long black robe.

As the week progressed and I learned more about the history of Israel and the conflict in the Middle East, I understood why there was a baptismal site at a place on the Jordan River no one believes it the place where Christ was baptized.  For centuries, pilgrims came to a place on the Jordan River called Qasr al Yahud near Jericho, which the scriptures describe as a holy.  The Israelites crossed the Jordan here when coming from Egypt.  Joshua crossed here before the battle of Jericho.  But, in 1948, when Israel was declared a state, there was immediate war between Israel and Jordan and Qasr al Yahud was inaccessible.  It became a military zone and land mines were placed throughout the area on both sides of the river.  For 44 years, it was completely closed and then only opened a few times a year for special visitors, like the Pope, with assistance from the army.  In 2010, it reopened.



Warnings of land mines still buried nearby.



A Jordanian soldier across the river.



An Israeli soldier on the side we were.  A tenuous peace.



The Jordan River is the boundary between Jordan and Israel.  This part of the river is actually located in the West Bank, which does not officially belong to Israel but is a disputed territory.  I'm so glad we were able to stop here.



Recent rains had flooded the river and it was very easy to picture Christ and John the Baptist here to fulfill the law.



When I looked a bit south, I had a special feeling that this area was not only visited by Christ but that the entire Godhead converged at here one moment in body, voice and in the form of a dove.  I wasn't like the Greek Orthodox and believe my baptism when I was eight "took" but I did get on my knees and put my hands in the river.

 Not a scheduled stop on our tour but Maureen and I were so glad it happened.  A special, special place.