The Jordan River is first mentioned in the Old Testament in Joshua 1:2 when the Lord said to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites.”
Only a few more references to the Jordan River would be mentioned in the Old Testament until we read about the river in the Four Gospels of the New Testament scriptures.
Matthew 3:1, 5 – 6 “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea…People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3: 13 – 17, Mark 1: 9 – 11, Luke 3: 21 – 22 and John 1: 32 -34 provide a written account of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River.
Matthew’s writing states, “And Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John [the Baptist]. But John tried to deter him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for you to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”
The site traditionally thought to have been the location of Jesus’ baptism is east of Jericho, on the Jordanian border, situated in the midst of a military zone.
The excitement for each of us was building as one by one we descended the stairs into the muddy waters of the Jordan River to be baptized. It was surreal to think that we could have been standing in the same place where Jesus first encountered John the Baptist, fulfilling all righteousness in obedience to God. We all agreed that it was an emotional experience, and the chance of a lifetime to obey the commandment of Jesus when in Acts 2:38, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized every one of you , in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Many theologians claim that baptism was adapted from the Jewish ceremonial cleanings in the mikvah (miqvah). Mikvah baths have broad steps where the “unclean” would descend the steps into the pool of water to immerse themselves to obtain ritual purity and ascend from the other side of the partition, now made “clean.”
Across the Jordan in Bethany, north of the Sea of Galilee and at Yardenit, a kibbutz south of Tiberias are the two locations along the Quasr el Yehud (Jordan River) which exist for baptismal services. Each location offers parking, restrooms and changing areas and restrooms are available.
Have you visited the Jordan River? Were you baptized or know someone who was? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.
Many thanks for reading about my baptism in the Jordan River and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Qasr al Yahud Site
On the Banks of the Jordan River near Jericho
Telephone: +972 2 650 4844
Yardenit Baptisimal Site
Kibbutz Kinneret
Jordan Valley 1511800
Israel
Telephone: +972 4 675 9111
Where to Stay:
Kinneret Village
Kinneret 15105
Israel
Telephone: 888 734 8507
Large continental breakfast for breakfast.
Where to Eat:
1910 Restaurant and Bar
Dganiya 15120
Israel
Telephone: +972 4 660 8565