Jericho And The Ancient Sycamore Tree
Jericho is a living, vibrate small Palestinian town in the Jordan Valley. It is believed to be the world’s oldest town. The town dates back to 8,000 BC. and has always been occupied since ancient times. It is also the lowest town in the world, and Jericho is 780 feet below sea level. It is a Jordan Valley Oasis!
This year it is about to get another face lift; since they are bringing back into focus the beautiful Sycamore Tree that they believe is the offspring of the original tree Zacchaeus climbed to get a better look at Jesus. We can read about this encounter in the Bible Gospels.
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was the chief among the tax collectors, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus … but could not because of the crowd, because he was of short stature. And he ran ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” Luke 19:1-5
Jericho’s Sycamore Tree for years has been tucked away on a side street. Until 2010 it was kept out of the eyes of tourists. They came, took a picture, and left! But that has been changing. It has now become the main attraction of a museum complex. This complex opened in 2010 and each month sees new additions every year, the history of the Sycamore Tree is on display in the new Museum. No longer is the tree that Zacchaeus climbed being regulated to the side street.
Palestine invites you to join them in Jericho, at the foot of….. the Sycamore Tree.
Happy Travels,