Jerusalem Center Returns to Samaria

Roman Basilica and Forum at Sebastia

Jerusalem Center groups returned to Samaria this January.  Our McKendree students visited Sebastia today.  Sebastia was the capital chosen by King Omri of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  Later Augustus Caesar gave the city to Herod the Great who built a temple there in honor of his benefactor.

From there, our group traveled south to Jacob's Well on the road "up to Jerusalem."  The ancient water source perhaps once welcomed Abraham, Jacob and Jesus and quenched their thirst.  The water is still sweet and good as we tasted today.

The trip took us through some of the most beautiful countryside in the land.  The people were warm and welcoming.  It is hard to comprehend that it has been some ten years since we last came this way with groups.

HT:  Todd Bolen and his "Pictorial Library of the Holy Land" Series