John 1:18-28
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18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Bethany, a village located on the east slope of Mt. Olivet, about 1 1/2 miles from Jerusalem. Home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and of Simon the Leper, Matt. 26:6; Jesus lodged there, Matt. 21:17; the Ascension, Luke 24:50. The expression "beyond the Jordan" refers to the east bank of the river. At the same place along the river, John 10:40 says Jesus traveled "across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptized." The Jordan River in antiquity was often not easily accessible, due to flooding and its setting down within a deep gorge. The course of the Jordan River also has changed over time, as well as the amount of water used by irrigation.
The spiritual importance of this area is matched by ecological splendors. Within the surrounding dry, barren landscape, the springs at the head of Wadi Kharrar emerge to create a beautiful oasis of tamarisk and palm trees, reeds, grasses and shrubbery. Its entire route to the Jordan River is one of the sound of running water, the sight of thick, green vegetation, and the sights and sounds of an assortment of wild animals and birds. This landscape would remind us of the dry, barren soul before repentance and the oasis of being enfolded in the Lord's mercy and love.
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