Day 14 – Monday, September 16: Machareus, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Amman
Today marked our final full day in Jordan. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our hotel in Wadi Musa (Petra), we boarded the bus for a journey north. The weather was pleasantly warm, with partly sunny skies and temperatures reaching around 85°F. We began our day with scripture readings from Numbers 22-24 as we departed at 7:30 AM.
Machaerus
Our first destination was Machaerus, a site that took us approximately 3.5 hours to reach, including a brief stop along the way. Upon our arrival at Machaerus, we read from Matthew 14 (also referenced in Mark 6) about the beheading of John the Baptist, an event noted by the historian Josephus. Many of us climbed to the summit of this historic palace-fortress built by Herod the Great. We explored the suggested throne area of the palace, where Herod Antipas received the Baptist’s head, along with a few ritual baths and columns. The view overlooking the Dead Sea was spectacular, allowing us to see the towering buildings of Jerusalem! Sadly, Machaerus fell to the Romans in 71 AD.
Mt. Nebo
Next, we traveled to Mt. Nebo, which is part of the Pisgah Range. Here, we read from Deuteronomy 31-34 and Joshua 1, reflecting on the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. The visibility looking west towards the Dead Sea and Jericho was fairly clear. This was the very view that Moses beheld before passing away at the age of 120. A monument featuring a Bronze Snake, referencing Numbers 21 and John 3, stands proudly at this site. Additionally, we visited the newly renovated church, constructed atop the Byzantine Church dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD. The intricate mosaics we encountered were truly breathtaking!
