One day was spent visiting Bethany beyond Jordan - this Bethany should not be confused with Bethany in Jerusalem, where Mary Magdalene lived and Lazarus was raised from the dead - and the Mount Nebo.
Bethany on the Jordan side of the Jordan River is one of the most important recent discoveries in biblical archeology. Located next to the River Jordan and near the border of Israel, Bethany Beyond the Jordan is also the place where John the Baptist is said to have preached and lived in the wilderness and Jesus was baptized. Excavations only began here in 1996, following Jordan's peace treaty with Israel in 1994, but have already uncovered more than 20 churches, caves and baptismal pools dating from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Visitors can descend into the waters of the River Jordan; many people choose to be baptized here or renew their baptismal promises.
The next stop was at Mt. Nebo where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land and also where he was later buried. Unfortunately the Moses Memorial Church was closed due to renovations so just walked around a bit.
The view was so stunning that the holiness of the place seemed to be almost tangible. However, I wondered could it be that of the Promised Land? No idea as I couldn’t find the sign that said “Promised Land” and wasn’t even sure which compass direction I was facing... it was very hot to stand around to figure it out.
Bethany on the Jordan side of the Jordan River is one of the most important recent discoveries in biblical archeology. Located next to the River Jordan and near the border of Israel, Bethany Beyond the Jordan is also the place where John the Baptist is said to have preached and lived in the wilderness and Jesus was baptized. Excavations only began here in 1996, following Jordan's peace treaty with Israel in 1994, but have already uncovered more than 20 churches, caves and baptismal pools dating from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Visitors can descend into the waters of the River Jordan; many people choose to be baptized here or renew their baptismal promises.
The next stop was at Mt. Nebo where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land and also where he was later buried. Unfortunately the Moses Memorial Church was closed due to renovations so just walked around a bit.
The view was so stunning that the holiness of the place seemed to be almost tangible. However, I wondered could it be that of the Promised Land? No idea as I couldn’t find the sign that said “Promised Land” and wasn’t even sure which compass direction I was facing... it was very hot to stand around to figure it out.
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