Day 4 - Monday

We woke up and drove about an hour (?) to the Jordan River.  They had a big touristy spot to stop, read some scriptures under a gazebo and then dip our toes in the muddy water.  We talked about how John the Baptist and his attitude, purpose and the way he lived. Everything he did went along with "He must increase and I must decrease."  He led everyone to Christ instead of himself.  Brother Top related it to us by saying we are not the star of the show in parenting, callings, or anything else. We always need to lead people to Christ and back away. You then are naturally built up as you build up everyone else around you.  I hope that I can be that person, what a great quality to keep working to have.  John the Baptist was also important because he prepared the way for the transition from old law to the new law, and the Aaronic priesthood to the Melchizedek Priesthood.

We also talked about the baptism of Christ (Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-9, Luke 3:1-22).  Jesus came a long way to be baptized by John which showed the importance of authority, Jesus is honoring His authority and priesthood.  He was no exception, he was still submissive to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.  He covenanted to do the same things that we have covenanted to do.

We then drove past Jericho (Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, Luke 19:2-8, Joshua 2, Joshua 6) and the Mount of Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13) and also Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul in the caves (1 Samuel 23:29, 1 Samuel 24).  As we were driving, Brother Top mentioned how on the Mount of Temptation Christ went into the wilderness to be with God in preparation for his ministry, not to be tempted.

We then went to Masada to see King Herod's fortress.  We went up to the top in a cable car and walked down the snack trail when we headed back.  It was HOT but really cool.  We learned that there, 960 Jewish zealots preferred death at their own hands rather than suffer the indignity of surrender to overwhelming Roman forces.  We toured the remains of the fortress on the mountain top. It was incredible to see remains from so long ago.

View from the top

We then went to lunch at Qumnran National Park and had chicken in a pita and we had a little time to shop and then we were off to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

After that nasty-hot hike in Masada we were ready for our next stop at the Dead Sea (Genesis 14, Genesis 19) for our swim (err.. float)! They said that the Great Salt Lake is 10 times as salty as the sea and the Dead Sea is 10 times as salty as the Great Salt Lake. It made me nervous because they said to be really careful not to get it close to your eyes.  They had dressing rooms where you could change in front of everyone so that was cool. We put mud all over us because its good for our skin.  It was slippery because the bottom was just mud and some rocks so it was hard to get out there and you really would just fall back and just float. It was so strange but it was such a fun experience.

The gang. Give or take a couple. 

After. Don't we look younger from our mud baths?

We then finished with a long drive to Jerusalem where we stayed for the remainder of our trip.  We had dinner at the hotel and walked around Jerusalem for a bit.