This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. ~John 1:28
As our bus brings us to the place where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, we listen to a lecture about the plethora of baptismal sites in the Holy Land — two in Israel and one in Jordan.* Each site claims to be the “authentic” spot where Jesus was immersed by John the Baptizer.
I am certain I will recognize the spot: an expanse of desert on each side of a wide, sparkling river. That’s how the Sunday School pictures depicted it when I was a girl.
As the bus pulls in to today’s “authentic” baptismal site, everything looks wrong. Instead of desert, there is dense foliage. Instead of a wide, sparkling river, there is a narrow strip of murky, green water. My happy anticipation is crushed, replaced with a sinking feeling.
This Holy Land is not living up to my expectations!
When have you had to move past disappointment to hear God speaking?
Prayer: O Spirit, I cannot contain you in my expectations.
This material is adapted from my book, Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land.
The photo is mine, taken at Yardenit.
*At the time I originally wrote this, we were visiting Yardenit. The other site in Israel is Qasr al-Yahud. The site in Jordan is Bethany Beyond the Jordan. After three pilgrimages, I have visited all three sites.
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