May 2013

Rebirth and renewal in the River Jordan

Annual pilgrimage site of the faithful travelers

“And it came about in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove des-cending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11).

Although it is unlikely to have been the actual site of Jesus’ baptism, the Jordan River site attracts annually more than 600,000 tourists and religious visitors. Framed by giant eucalyptus trees and limestone walls, the natural pool just south of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) has the look and feel of a luxury spa. However, it is not an ordinary pool, and it is certainly not a spa. Called Yardenit in Hebrew, the pool is located at the point where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee. Despite the fact that over half-a-million foreign visitors see the site every year, Yardenit remains relatively unknown to most Israelis. Continue reading →