Jordan River
Hebrew Bible
Jerusalem has been sacred to Judaism for roughly 3000 years, to Christianity for around 2000 years, and to Islam for approximately 1400 years. The 2000 Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem lists 1204 synagogues, 158 churches, and 73 mosques within the city. Despite efforts to maintain peaceful religious coexistence, some sites, such as the Temple Mount, have been a continuous source of friction and controversy.
In the Hebrew Bible the Jordan is referred to as the source of fertility to a large plain ("Kikkar ha-Yarden"), and it is said to be like "the garden of God" (Genesis 13:10). There is no regular description of the Jordan in the Bible; only scattered and indefinite references to it are given. Jacob crossed it and its tributary, the Jabbok (the modern Al-Zarqa), to reach Haran (Genesis 32:11, 32:23-24). It is noted as the line of demarcation between the "two tribes and the half tribe" settled to the east (Numbers 34:15) and the "nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh" that, led by Joshua, settled to the west (Joshua 13:7, passim).
Opposite Jericho, it was called "the Jordan of Jericho" (Numbers 34:15; 35:1). The Jordan has a number of fords, and one of them is famous as the place where many Ephraimites were slain by Jephthah (Judges 12:5-6). It seems that these are the same fords mentioned as being near Beth-barah, where Gideon lay in wait for the Midianites (Judges 7:24). In the plain of the Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan, is the clay ground where Solomon had his brass-foundries (1 Kings 7:46).
In biblical history, the Jordan appears as the scene of several miracles, the first taking place when the Jordan, near Jericho, was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua (Joshua 3:15-17). Later the two tribes and the half tribe that settled east of the Jordan built a large altar on its banks as "a witness" between them and the other tribes (Joshua 22:10, 22:26, et seq.). The Jordan was crossed by Elijah and Elisha on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8, 2:14). Elisha performed two other miracles at the Jordan: he healed Naaman by having him bathe in its waters, and he made the axe head of one of the "children of the prophets" float, by throwing a piece of wood into the water (2 Kings 5:14; 6:6).
The Jordan was crossed by Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan Maccabaeus during their war with the Nabataeans (1 Maccabees 5:24). A little later the Jordan was the scene of the battle between Jonathan and Bacchides, in which the latter was defeated (1 Maccabees 9:42-49).
New Testament
The New Testament states that John the Baptist baptised unto repentance in the Jordan (Matthew 3:5-6; Mark1:5; Luke 3:3; John1:28). This is recounted as having taken place at Bethabara (John 1:28).
Jesus came to be baptised by him there (Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21, 4:1). The Jordan is also where John the Baptist bore record of Jesus as the Son of God and Lamb of God (John 1:29-36).
The prophesy of Isaiah regarding the Messiah which names the Jordan (Isaiah 9:1-2) is recounted in Matthew 4:15.
The New Testament speaks several times about Jesus crossing the Jordan during his ministry (Matthew 19:1; Mark 10:1), and of believers crossing the Jordan to come hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases (Matthew 4:25; Mark 3:7-8). When his enemies sought to capture him, Jesus took refuge at Jordan in the place John had first baptised (John 10:39-40).
Symbolic importance
The Jordan is a frequent symbol in folk, gospel, and spiritual music, or in poetic or literary works.
Because the Israelites made a difficult and hazardous journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in The Promised Land, the Jordan can refer to freedom. The actual crossing is the final step of the journey, which is then complete.
Because of the baptism of Jesus, water from the Jordan is employed for the christening of heirs and princes in several Christian royal houses, such as the cases of Simeon of Bulgaria or James Ogilvy.
Yardenit
Yardenit is the baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River. It was built by Kibbutz Kinneret with the help and blessing of the Ministry of Tourism in 1981. The site is still run by Kibbutz Kinneret and has welcomed millions of Pilgrims over the years. "Yardenit" is the diminutive of Yarden. Yarden in Hebrew means Jordan or Jordan River.
Yardenit reflects the perfect combination of Christian heritage, stunning landscapes of the Holy Land and a history of civilization.Yardenit is physically located where the Jordan River flows from the Sea of Galilee. This pristine area is near other holy places like Capernaum, Tabgha, Bethsaida, Kursi and the Mount of Beatitudes. Every year over half a million visitors come to Yardenit to be baptized or to rededicate their baptismal vows or to be part of the world-wide Christian community bearing witness to their fellow Christians, who at this place have followed their Savior through the waters of baptism. This sacred place is a Christian sacrament marked by a ritual use of water immersion admitting the recipient to the Christian community.
The Christian commitment has been honored in various ways. The contracted architect, Danny Bar Kama, has designed a unique visitors center in the form of the nave of a church. The site is approached by a limestone pathway flanked with both olive trees and date palms.At the beginning of the pathway you notice the barrel vault arch plus a wall with water with three fountains. These three fountains represent the three tributaries of the Jordan River. You also notice the beginning of 'The Wall Of New Life' which is a wall of Christian faith.As you enter the building, on the west side, there is a wonderful stained glass window letting in afternoon light. There are clerestory windows on both the south and north side of the building and there is water flowing below the floor to a mini baptismal site to the east. Above this site there is a cupola with a shaft of light coming in.
On the south side of the transverse arm is a restaurant, which serves amongst other delicacies, the traditional St.Peter's fish. On the north side is a gift store with a large variety of unique Christian and Jewish gifts and Holy land souvenirs.
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