February 11, Site #3

GILGAL
This is the place where the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River. There they piled up 12 large stones as a memorial (Joshua 4:19-24). It was there that the manna ceased to fall (Joshua 5:2-12).

GOOD SAMARITAN INN / ADUMMIM / MA’ALE ADUMMIM – NOT GOING TO THIS SITE
The inn located between Jericho and Jerusalem that is the backdrop for Jesus’ well-known parable (Luke 10:25-37). A castle called Maldonin was built by the Knight Templars of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. From here you get your first glimpse of Jerusalem. Notice the change in elevation between Jericho and Jerusalem. In the scripture you always go “up to Jerusalem.”

Luke 10:25-27 (parable of the Good Samaritan)
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 19:41-44 (Jesus weeps over Jerusalem)
As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”