Holy Land Devotional: The Jordan River

The Jordan River today.

Jordan River

The Jordan River is perhaps one of the most significant rivers for Judaism and Christianity. The river is 156 miles long and flows north to south, through both the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee. Israel and the West Bank lie on the west side of the river, and Jordan and the Golan Heights border the east.*

In the Old Testament, the Jordan River was the point of crossing for the Israelites as they were lead from the wilderness into the Promised Land. The Jordan River has often been referenced as a metaphor for freedom. It is also considered a place of healing, a place of anointing, and the start of new ministries. In the New Testament, it was in the Jordan River that John the Baptist was baptizing and preaching of the coming Messiah. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist there on the east side of the river, which is in modern day Jordan. You can visit the actual baptism site and even be baptized.


Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[a]” So John agreed to baptize him.16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were

What is believed to be the actual baptism site of Jesus in Jordan.

opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”


It was also in the Jordan River the military leader, Naaman washed in order to be healed of his leprosy, as instructed by the prophet Elisha (880 BC).*

II Kings 5:11-14


11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

Finally, we can deduce the Jordan River was a special place to God, because it is also where Elijah was taken directly to heaven in chariots of fire and where Elijah's mantle (anointing) was turned over to Elisha. You can see the general area where this happened when you visit the Baptism site in Jordan.


II Kings 2:2-13


2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel. 3 The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
“Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.” 4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Jericho.” But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho. 5 Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?” “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.” 6 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together. 7 Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. 8 Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! 9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I

Baptism in the Jordan River.

am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.” 11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. 13 Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. 14 He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

Something to Think About:

1) What makes the Jordan River significant in the stories above?

2) What makes the Jordan River significant today?

3) Does the Jordan River have any spiritual significance for you?

4) Have you visited the Jordan River? Share your pictures and stories with us.

*Taken from the Holy Land Devotional from Wellington Church, Kentucky.