Hi friends!  I’m taking you on a journey up to Jerusalem today!  You may be thinking, “But isn’t Jerusalem south of the Galilee?”  Good question!  Yes, it is.  So why do I say “up” to Jerusalem?  Another good question!  Regardless of which direction you approach Jerusalem, you always go “up to Jerusalem” because Jerusalem is a city on a hill!  In Biblical times, Jews from all over went to Jerusalem several times a year for special feasts and festivals.  Bear in mind that they were either on foot or on animals, so the trip was a significant journey for many.

Fortunately, we had a bus to take us the 70 miles or so from Tiberias to Jerusalem.  We made a couple stops along the way, but I want you to see the path of the journey.

Find Tiberias in the northern part of Israel, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  Now, imagine driving along the Jordan River Valley to Jericho, where you hang a right and head up the hill to Jerusalem.  What area would you pass through?  If you said the Palestinian-controlled West Bank, you are correct!  Though travel on this road is very safe (Israelis control the road way), Palestinian-controlled areas are much different than Israeli-controlled areas in terms of cleanliness and orderliness.  Our guide pointed out that when you own something, you’re much more likely to care for it than if you are renting or “squatting” on the land!  How true that seems to be in Israel!  For the most part, Israel takes care of its land and possessions.  Arabs and Palestinians….not so much!

Along the route to Jerusalem, we made a stop at Bet She’an, of which I shared pictures and info in March 3 posts. (Here, here, here and here.)

Also enroute to Jerusalem we stopped at the Jordan River for baptism!  Matthew 3:13-17 is the Gospel account of the baptism of Jesus, and we know that occurred near Jericho.  On previous trips we had the privilege of being baptized in the Jordan River, but it took place at a site near the Sea of Galilee.  This year, however, a new site was recently opened and we were able to be baptized (if we chose to be) very likely in the vicinity in which Jesus Himself was baptized!  There is really nothing spiritually significant about being baptized in the Jordan, or in the place Jesus was baptized, but it is a special treat nonetheless!

Here is our group preparing to be dunked in the cold waters of the Jordan!

No sprinkling here…we were totally dunked!  (No, they are not holding me under!)

Within 50 feet is the Jordanian side of the river (and soldiers!)!  Obviously, not much business on that side!

Well friends, tomorrow I’m going to take you into the Holy City…and will try to describe what it is like to enter Jerusalem for the first time!  Early on I told you to hang on to God’s divine principle of Gentiles being “grafted in!”  God willing, He will give me words to help make that come alive to you tomorrow!  Pray with me for that, would you?

Meanwhile, read Romans 11 and I’ll pick it up here tomorrow!  Blessings friends…and Shabbat Shalom!