Holy Land Journey

This site is also know as Yardenit located near the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee. This is one of two locations where we might stop on the Journey to the Holy Land trip.  The Other location is the Qsar al-Yahud and is thought to be the baptismal site of Jesus. 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.  But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”  Matthew 3:13-17. CSB 

Bet She’an or Beth-Shean was a key city ruled by the Egyptians in the 1600-1400BC time. Later the Philistines ruled the city around 1000BC. It is here that King Saul along with his sons wer hung on the walls of the city after being defeated in the Battle of Gilboa.

When the men of Israel on the other side of the valley and on the other side of the Jordan saw that Israel’s men had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled. So the Philistines came and settled in them.

The next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons dead on Mount Gilboa. …Then they put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. 1 Samuel 31 CSB

The Galilee is located in the northern part of Israel. The Sea of Galilee is about 45km north of the city of Jerusalem and is a large freshwater lake about 13 km wide and 19km long. Jesus called many of his disciples from this area. It is at the crossroad of the “Via Maris” and linked travel during the time of Jesus to 3 continents. It is in this area that you will find Capernaum, Kursi, Chorazin, Bethsaida and many other locations. Jesus calmed the sea, fed 5,000 and 4,000, walked on water and preached the Sermon on the Mount.

When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.  Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12