We awoke in Jericho to a beautiful morning and headed for a visit to tel Jericho, the archeological site which the British began excavating in the 1920’s. Considered by many to be the oldest city in the world, Jericho has been inhabited for some 9000 years. It sits just across the Jordan River about a mile from the northern edge of the Dead Sea. It is an oasis, blessed with springs that bubble with the water of life.

Dr. Dearman spoke to us of the massive walls found here, dating to 2000 BC –representing a thriving city. There is also evidence that this fortified city had waned in power, its’ ancient walls in disrepair, when Joshua and the Hebrew army arrived on the hills of Mt. Nebo in preparation for their advance into the promised land (1200 BC).

According to Israeli archeologist Yigdal Yadin the people of Jericho could well have worked hard and fast to prop up the ancient walls, in hopes of presenting a strong defense to the invading forces. “Mud-bricks” were clearly used, enabling the walls to be built up quickly –but mud-bricks are not nearly as strong as stone. This may account for the fact that the walls fell so suddenly  when the Hebrew people marching around the city blew their horns.  At any rate, the people of God gained entry into the promised land through this ancient city.

From Jericho we took a  cable car ride to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Temptation. This reclusive community is perched high up on a cliff face. The end of the cable car ride simply means the beginning of a fairly steep climb to the entrance of the monastery. It is not easy-going.

The monastery dates to the 6th century and is located at the traditional site where Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the Devil. Several of the pilgrims in our group remarked that Jericho, the Oasis city and clearly visible from the mountain, would have been temptation enough –inviting an easy and far more comfortable existence.

From Jericho we drove to a city called Beth Shean, the capital of the Decapolis, and the best preserved Roman Byzantine town in Israel. The ruins are breathtaking. It is hard to imagine how beautiful this city must have been in its pristine condition.

Around 1004 BC, the Philistines defeated the Israelites at Mt. Gilboa, killing Israel’s first King, Saul, his son, Jonathan –hanging their bodies on the walls of the city of Beth Shean (cf. I Sam. 31:10: II Sam. 1:17-27).

After lunch, we visited another crusader fortress, called Belvoir Castle, and were treated to awesome views of the Jordan Valley. Built in 1168, the fortress survived many sieges before Saladin, the great Muslim general, took it after a seige of a year and a half.

Our final destination was a beautiful location on the Jordan River, the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism by John.  We shared a holy gathering together, remembering the promises spoken over us in our baptism. Many of our band waded into the river and had the waters of the Jordan wash over us, remembering God’s faithfulness and reaffirming our commitment to serve Him. It was a special joy for me to share in this remembrance with my wife, Diane, and our son, David.