Day 6: Jesus's Ministry: The site of Jesus's baptism by the River Jordan

The first time we were moved today was when we caught our first glimpse of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley. The second time was when we arrived at the site of Christ's baptism on the River Jordan.

Our guide was using the Bible as a sort of travel guide and either read passages himself as went along or asked one of the tour group to do so.

Here he asked me to do it and, to be standing on the banks of the Jordan reading about a biblical event from 2000 years ago as people just upstream were being baptised or renewing their orginal baptisms was very moving. 

Matthew 3:13-17 

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 

And there were some pretty big catfish in the river too!