Day 6 – Monday, September 8: Jordan Northern Border Crossing, Jerash, Mt. Nebo, Machaerus, Medeba
Today we crossed into Jordan! Following breakfast and loading the bus, we left the hotel about 7:25. We read portions of Matthew 5-7 as we drove south, saying goodbye to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee. The weather was again sunny, with temps a bit cooler (low 80s) in Jordan today.
Sheik Border Crossing
It took about 50 minutes to arrive at the Sheik Border Crossing. The procedures went rather slow, as expected on both sides. However, we crossed without issues. On the Jordanian side we were greeted by Sam, our Jordanian guide) and our driver, Rashid.
Jerash
Following the completion of the Jordanian crossing procedures, we drove directly to Jerash. We passed by Pella, known to be the place to where early Christians retreated for safety following the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jerash was a Decapolis city, one of 10 major Roman cities. Most of the ruins date to the 2nd Century AD. We started at Hadrian’s Arch and then walked through the hippodrome and past the Zeus Temple. We then visited the incredible theater. Most in the group then walked to theater side of the site to see the Decumanus (east-west street), Temple of Dionysus, and Temple of Artemis. There were many Byzantine churches also built here. We walked out of the site on the Cardo (the north-south street). We walked past the nymphean. Jerash is one of the most well-preserved Roman cities in the world! It was incredible!
“We crossed into Jordan today. We did a lot of driving today. However, the two sites we visited today (Jerash and Machaerus) were incredible. Jerash was a huge site and one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world.”
Machaerus
Leaving Jerash at 2:35, our drive to our next site, Machaerus, was scenic. We passed by the Jabot River where Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32).We also drove on there outskirts of Amman, Jordan’s capital. We finally arrived at Machaerus. Originally built by the Hasmoneans and then taken by Pompey in 63 BC, Machaerus was eventually reestablished by Herod the Great as another “palace-fortress.” It is located on the east side of the Dead Sea. This was where John the Baptist was be-headed (Josephus and Matthew 14). Many of us climbed to the top to see where the head of John the Baptist was offered to Herod Antipas (the “throne room” according to an Austrian archaeologist). On top were a few ritual baths too. Although it was a bit more hazy this afternoon looking westward, we could clearly see the Dead Sea and the vicinity of Ein Gedi on the other side.
Madaba
It was about a 35 minute drive to our hotel in Madaba (Sam’s hometown). We decided to visit Mt. Nebo tomorrow morning before driving south to Petra. Following check-in, we enjoyed a nice dinner before retiring early. It was a great first day here in Jordan. The highlight is yet to come tomorrow (Petra!).
Day 7 – Tuesday, September 9: Mt. Nebo, Petra
