Today's itinerary would be quite a test for us and for our tour guide, Meir More, whom we were meeting for the very first time. We hopped on a public bus from Eilat to Masada, about a 2 1/2 hour ride, arriving around 10:00 am.
First stop, Masada. A place every Jewish and Israeli person is familiar with and a place most of us know nothing about. When I compared it to the Alamo, the tour guide wasn't exactly thrilled, but that's the closest I could come. Masada is known for two great historical times. About 20 years before Jesus was born, Herod the Great built a magnificent city on top of this huge plateau way above the flat desert. It was quite a feat having to account for water, food, and building materials in such a remote part of the land. This was Herod's vacation home, far away from all his troubles and enemies. Later on in the year 73, the zealots fled here (Jewish people that resisted the Roman occupation and fought against them). This was their last stand - freedom or death. While these hundreds of people including women and children fought the thousands of Roman soldiers as long as they could, defeat was inevitable. They decided to commit mass suicide instead of be captured and taken as slaves. Since suicide is considered a sin in the Jewish religion, all the men first killed their wives and children. Then ten men were chosen to kill the other men. Then of the ten, lots were cast (and they actually found those lots) to decide which man would kill the other 9 and then fall on his own sword. A movie was even made of this dramatic event. The place is really incredible given its location and history.
Second stop, Ein Gedi. While you may not know this name, this is an important place in the Bible. It is the location that is mentioned in I Samuel 24 "en-gedi." It is a natural oasis in the middle of a desert, perfect for hiding in the hundreds of caves that are in the rocks and a source of natural spring water. It was a great location for a hideout when King Saul takes 3,000 men to kill David. We saw a hyrex, yeah, don't ask, I can't explain it. We witnessed both the natural waterfalls and the caves that Saul and David used to play life or death hide and seek. It was beautiful and so unexpected in a land that is a complete desert.
Third stop, Dead Sea. A trip to this area would not be complete without floating in the Dead Sea. 400 meters below sea level, it is the saltiest sea in the world and rich in a multitude of minerals. The Dead Sea is known for its medicinal benefits as one dip in the sea kills all the bacteria on your body. People have flocked here throughout the ages to heal themselves of a variety of skin diseases. We were warned not to float on our stomachs, not to get the water near our eyes or noses, and to keep feet and hands up. With that, we walked in to our waist and just sat down. The buoyancy was amazing. The water was not too cold and felt great. Even after just 10 minutes we felt our skin get a little wrinkly. Salt deposits were everywhere on the rocks and at the bottom of the sea. What a great experience!
Fourth Stop, Qumran Caves. A more accurate description would be the archeological remains of the Essenes. This group of people were Jews who lived communally with very strict beliefs. They are responsible for writing the scrolls that were discovered by bedouin shepherds in the 1940's, also known as the Dead Sea scrolls. John the Baptist tried to "pledge" and get into this group but then rebelled against all their strict rules and regulations. After leaving he went to the Jordan to start baptizing people so I guess it was a good thing he didn't join them. We could see the cave where the Dead Sea scrolls came from but couldn't go in. So fascinating to see so many of the remaining walls and baths from 2,000 years ago.
Fifth Stop, Qasar El Yahud. No you might not know the site by this name, but this is the place on the Jordan where Jesus was baptized. Not coincidentally, it was also the place where Joshua led the people into the promised land and captured Jericho, only a mile or so away, as well as the place where Elisha witnessed Elijah ascend into heaven. From a biblical standpoint, this location is about succession, Joshua succeeding Moses, Elisha succeeding Elijah, and Jesus succeeding John (whom many thought was the Messiah). So, of course, I had to reaffirm my baptism with a plunge. The water was cold which made the experience that much more dramatic as some fellow pastors from Arkansas who were there obliged to "baptize" me in the Jordan water. While the heavens didn't open and I didn't hear a voice from above, it was a very meaningful experience since I had never been immersed for baptism before. It was the spiritual highlight of the day.
Exhausted we went up to Jerusalem to check into our hotel and then off to the colorful local market for dinner. We ended the day full. Our stomachs were full. Our spirits were full. Our hearts were full. May God grant us an open spirit, a listening ear, and a willing heart.
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