Sunday 14th July
Read John 10:40-42
“Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, ‘Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (NIVUK)
The bulk of Jesus’ ministry, and witness, is behind Him. These verses present the transition between the end of the beginning, and the beginning of the end. John signals this in the way Jesus signalled it. Jesus returns to where John was baptising, the place where John first witnessed to Jesus. Only part of what John declared has come true so far, but the people flock to Jesus just as they did to John and many believed in Him there.
It also forms the perfect closure to arguments about who Jesus is. John never performed miracles yet the people believed him to be a prophet nonetheless. He witnessed about Jesus and all he said about him was true. Jesus performs miracles and witnesses to who He is powerfully, declaring that perhaps He is all John said He was and more.
But for all that, Jesus is retreating to gather Himself for what is to come. He stayed there. In hindsight it is clear why. But at the time think about what His disciples and those who sought Him there must have thought. What is He doing? What is He going to do? Why is He back across the Jordan? It would seem inexplicable. Much like many of the events in our own lives sometimes seem inexplicable and all is revealed later. John’s gospel teaches us nothing if it doesn’t teach us patience with God’s timings!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDywLjNGvqU
