I was just on the radio and mentioned how I ate a grasshopper in the Holy Land, in honor of John the Baptist. Since we just returned from Israel I thought I would repost this blog entry in honor of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus on January 9 and my appearance on Relevant Radio to discuss this Feast Day. And to celebrate … STEVE RAY LIVING THE BIBLE IN THE HOLY LAND!
While on Pilgrimage in Israel we stopped at Qumran a while back, near the Dead Sea and the place where John the Baptist baptized. John the Baptist ate grasshoppers here (Matthew 3:4).
I mentioned to my pilgrims that if anyone found a grasshopper — I would eat it like John the Baptist did in the desert. Grasshoppers, locusts and crickets were considered “clean foods” for the Israelites (Lev. 11:22).
Did Jesus eat them? Why not? It was clean food for the Jews specifically mentioned in the Bible. Leviticus 11:22 says they are “clean” and can be eaten.
Well, finding a big juicy grasshopper became the goal for many of the pilgrims. And before long I found myself with a 4 inch long wiggling insect in my hands and only a sense of humor to get me through.
I promised the group if they found one I’d eat it — never believing they’d find one. They found a BIG one. What to do?
I ate it — live and wiggling — very crunchy. Now I know what a locust tastes like and I know why John the Baptist ate them with wild honey!
Living the Bible here in the Holy Land!
You can see all our past videos of our pilgrimages at www.SteveGoes.com. Go to Pilgrimages > Past. See our current trips at www.SteveGoes.com/pilgrimages.
Pictures 1 and 2: Birthplace of John the Baptist in Ein Kerem Israel, just west of Jerusalem. Picture 3 is overview of Judean Wilderness near Jordan River where John was baptizing. Picture 4 is a statue of John’s father Zechariah.
The post John the Baptist Ate Them…Steve Ate One too! appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.
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