Jesus on the Jordan

JORDAN RIVER CROSSING - In an event that underscored the potential for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, about 150 Christians, Jews and Muslims gathered on the border between Israel and Jordan to pray at the eastern gateway to the Promised Land—a site packed with biblical and prophetic significance. 

“This is the eastern gateway opened up—this is no small matter,” said Karen Dunham who runs a ministry in Palestinian-ruled Jericho. 

The restricted area is opened only three times a year by the Israeli army for certain groups, including one led by Dunham, who comes every year. This year the army even suggested that she bring a bus load of new Muslim converts from her church to join the prayer meeting. The site is also opened once a year to both Catholics and Orthodox Christians to perform baptisms in the Jordan. 

An offering collected to help the Israeli army maintain the site was in turn given by the army to help Palestinians in Jericho. An Israel soldier guarding the border said that unlike the usual tension between Palestinians and Israelis, the atmosphere there and with Jericho residents is friendly. 

Dunham listed Biblical events that occurred at or near this location: Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River across from Jericho; Joshua brought the Israelites across the Jordan; Elijah went up in the chariot of fire; and David reconciled with Judah at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. 

Christians, Messianic Jews and Muslims joined in prayer and several were baptized in the Jordan. 

One soldier, asked whether there could be peace between Israel and the Palestinians, said, “At this place right now, anything is possible.” 

Some Palestinians from Jericho also joined in the worship. The women, although converts, still wore the Islamic headdress while some of the men are still Moslem. 

“I’m Muslim but what does it matter?” said Shadi Mahmoud Fuda. “I go to hear Karen everyday. She teaches the Bible and about God.” 

Iyad Abu Rashed said the atmosphere in Jericho has changed for the better in the three years that Dunham has been in Jericho. “Freedom has come not from Bush, Abu Mazen [i.e., Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas] and Arafat,” he said, “but it comes from Jesus.”