Jordan River (Yardenit)

The Jordan River was always an important source of water for agriculture in the Bible, but many other biblical stories are told of its banks. The crossing of this tiny river would have terrified the generation that grew up in the desert wilderness with Joshua (Joshua 3 & 4). The floating axe head in its waters in the ministry of Elisha, the healing of Naaman the Syrian by Elisha, and of course the Baptism of Jesus by John, his cousin, were important events recorded in the Biblical record.
While the site of Jesus’ baptism by John may well have been is located near Jericho (near the point where the Children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land), the contemporary site of the Yardenit Baptismal has become a focal point for hundreds of thousands of modern pilgrims. Clad in flowing white robes, they come to observe the Christian rite of Baptism in accordance with the command of Jesus recorded in Mt. 28:19 completely submerge themselves in the water, while their priest or minister offers up a prayer.