Random thoughts about our Jordan trip

Several times the Gospels mention that Jesus spent some time "beyond the Jordan" (Mark 8:8; 10:1). I recalled from studying the historical geography of Israel that during New Testament times that there was a district called Perea (Greek for "area beyond") along the east bank of the Jordan Valley, but I had never actually visited the area until this trip. I remember seeing it from the west bank of the Jordan (the Israeli side), but never really thinking about its importance for understanding Jesus' ministry in the Gospels. What I hadn't realized was how much more hospitable it is than the barren and desolate stretch of the west bank from Beth Shan to Jericho. The reason is simple enough: it has better soil and water resources. Silt from the highlands of Gilead to the east and springs and perennial streams like the Yarmuk and Jabbok combine to create a very viable living space. I was surprised to learn that the east bank of the Jordan from the sea of Galilee almost all the way to the Dead Sea is heavily populated and produces a wide variety of crops and vegetables.

All of this to say, in Jesus' day Perea was an important center of Jewish life and economy. It was also a major artery for Jewish traffic going from Galilee to Jerusalem. Rather than hazard the direct and shorter route down the water shed route that passed through Samaritan territory, most Jews of the first century crossed over to Perea and traveled along the east bank of the Jordan. When they were opposite Jericho, they re-crossed the Jordan, passed through Jericho and trekked up the ascent to Jerusalem (a climb of about 4,000 feet in some 12 miles!).

Besides the more congenial environment of the east bank, there were social and political factors. Tensions were extremely high between Samaritans and Jews during this period, punctuated by occasional bloody encounters. For this reason, Samaritans and Jews avoided each other if at all possible, as the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman dramatically illustrates: "Jews do not associate with Samaritans" (John 4:9). The Jews of Jesus' day of course couldn't build a separation wall (!), but they could minimize contact. One can't fail to see striking but sad similarities to the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

At any rate, the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus in the region of Perea was as productive as the land itself. It was "at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan" (John 1:28) where John carried out his preaching and baptizing ministry. And it was there, from the circle of John's followers, that Jesus called his first disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter and an unnamed individual. Later on we learn that after a particularly difficult encounter with the religious leaders in Jerusalem (John 10:22-39), during the winter Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), Jesus "went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days" (John 10: 40). Here his Jewish listeners responded to his preaching much more favorably: "And in that place many believed in Jesus" (John 10:42). Remains of churches from the Byzantine era in Perea testify to the fact that Christianity did indeed take hold "beyond the Jordan."

This trip also reinforced the importance of the Decapolis in the early spread of the gospel. The Decapolis was a district composed of ten (hence the name) important Hellenistic cities that were semi-autonomous and not under Jewish control as was the case in Galilee, Perea, and Judea. This region was located for the most part south of the Sea of Galilee and east of Perea, covering upper and lower Gilead. As you may recall, the first to evangelize the region was an unlikely candidate: the Geresene demoniac. After Jesus exorcised a "legion" of demons from this poor, tormented man, he begged Jesus to go with him. Instead, Jesus commissioned him to be a missionary: "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" (Mark 5:19). Not only did he tell his family, Mark tells us he "began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed" (Mark 5:20). Not surprisingly, this area later became an important center of Christianity, as we learn from the church historian Eusebius, and today one may admire the remains of many magnificent basilicas in the Decapolis.

These are just a few of the fresh insights that came to me after visiting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. I think it important to inform my readers that a new day is dawning in Jordan as regards the gospel. The Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Amman, the capital of Jordan, is training young men and women to share the gospel and minister to the spiritual needs of Christians not only in Jordan but in the entire Middle East. Pray for this ministry and ask whether you might contribute financially. Just Google the name of the seminary to find their website. As you might expect, Muslims make up over 90% of the population of Jordan and sharing the gospel is a challenge. But just like the Geresene demoniac, there are a few Jordanian Christians who are telling their families and friends how much the Lord has done for them. Like a mustard seed, the good news is being sown. The Lord of the harvest will do the rest. Have you told anyone today how much the Lord has done for you?