John 10:40-42 - Lesson #109

The time for His public ministry was coming to an end. Jesus had revealed His true identity and the Jews had revealed they understood His claim; "You, being a Man, make Yourself God" (John 10:33). But they also made their rejection abundantly clear; "they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand" (John 10:39). Once again, Jesus escaped because His time had "not yet fully come" (John 7:8). He would continue to teach, but He would not return to Jerusalem until a week prior to His crucifixion.

John 10:40-42
"And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. Then many came to Him and said, 'John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.' And many believed in Him there."

Jesus began His public ministry at this very spot just a few years earlier. John the Baptist was preaching a message of repentance to "make straight the way of the Lord" (John 1:23). But when he saw Jesus, he boldly proclaimed "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Jesus had ministered with great power and truth, touching the lives of multitudes and hand selecting those who would continue His message. But with the end drawing near, He returned to a place of relative peace and safety.

We often miss many great truths when we neglect the portions of Scripture which tell of Jesus resting, seeking solitude, and appearing to break from the intensity of ministry; "So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed" (Luke 5:16). A leader will have many opportunities to lead with words, but a good leader must not neglect the effectiveness of leading by lifestyle. Our actions demonstrate how we desire others to follow. And if we are to lead in ministry, we must learn how to demonstrate the necessity of rest. Effective ministry often requires times of quite, times to be alone with God and seek His clear direction.

It does not appear that Jesus was preaching while staying beyond the Jordan, and yet many came to Him. They had observed the life of Jesus and remembered the ministry of John the Baptist. It may have been years since they had heard John's preaching which told of the One who would take away the sins of the world. John had planted these particular seeds of truth and died prior to seeing even the slightest growth. But now these who had heard John and witnessed the life of Christ bore the wonderful fruit of belief.

Ministry can be so wearisome. The needs never end and our effectiveness is always in doubt. But in this short passage we see two encouragements which help us continue. First, we must remember that intense ministry requires intense rest. No one, not even Jesus, is expected to continually pour out without taking time to be filled. Second, we must recall our responsibility to plant and water - it is God who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). And He will make them grow according to His perfect plan. There is much more work to be done! But today, let's take some quiet time to be alone with God and be refreshed and restored.