We left the beautiful Sea of Galilee and headed southward to Jerusalem through increasingly arid soil. Following the West Bank of the Jordan River, we could see eastward into Jordan again. The highway itself is currently the responsibility of Israel, but the Palestinians technically claim land on both sides. For some miles we drove through “no man’s land,” where the political conflicts continue.

We stopped at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Here we witnessed many in our group who chose to either be baptized or undergo a mikveh (rededication). On the Jordanian side of the river, an armed soldier stood silent guard.

The next respite came in Jericho, which claims to be the oldest city in the world. Even though the topography is mostly desert, several springs of water make it a greener place than surrounding areas. In fact, many rows of date palms grow in the vicinity. Some of the most well-known stories involving Jericho include the hiding of spies by Rahab, the walls falling down in Israel’s first conquest, and the tempting of Jesus at a mountain overlooking the town. We saw some of the ruins, including a tower.

The final part of our journey took us into Jerusalem, where we walked down the steep “Triumphal Entry” road on the Mount of Olives past several churches and into the Garden of Gethsemane. The hillside facing the walled, ancient part of Jerusalem is covered with mostly Jewish graves, many pointed toward the Golden Gate awaiting resurrection at the coming of the Messiah who is supposed to enter that gate. The roadway and church sites teemed with world citizens, including many Christians from India. Another Muslim call to worship eerily wafted over a loudspeaker from the Dome of the Rock area across the deep Kidron Valley. Jews, Christians, and Muslims continue to coexist in this historically significant city. Sadly, the booming tourism industry both helps to hold a temporary peace yet hinders lasting solutions.

After dinner at our current residence–the medieval Knight’s Palace Hotel inside the Jaffa Gate, we attended a laser light show at the Tower of David, a stunning castle.