Jordan River: Baptism II
Jordan River: Baptism II “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water. And, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” ( Matthew 3:16 ). Wild animals such as panthers, lions and wild boar used to roam among the reeds, willows, poplars and tamarisks that grew on the banks of the Jordan. As the vegetation became more sparse the wild animals disappeared, but the tradition of baptism in the Jordan waters has been preserved since the water was sanctified first by the prophets and then by John the Baptist, who chose this as a place for solitude and baptism.