The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 10:39-42, “Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and

He was staying there.

41 And many came to Him and were saying, ‘While John performed no sign, yet everything John

said about this man was true.’

42 And many believed in Him there.”

When people are really angry, they want to fight! The Jews could not best Jesus in discussions,

and that made them furious. In verse 31, just previous to our verses above, the Jews took up stones and would have killed Jesus. But, “He eluded their grasp.”

Many years ago, I visited an old schoolhouse down in Mississippi. I looked at the empty desks, wondering who sat where and where they are now? It was a sentimental thought that always comes to me in old abandoned schools and churches. Thoughts like that transported to Scripture, such as in the verses above, make me wonder if Jesus wasn’t somewhat sentimental about John’s baptisms when He “went away again” beyond the Jordan River. The word “again,” tells me that He had been there before. It was a place of serenity and peace, a place for thinking — but not for long, because many came to Him there.

Moreover, the people who came to Him acknowledged that He was true, and what He declared to them was true, also. And there in the security of that serene place that those who had followed Him there, believed on Him as the Son of the Living God.

People who need Jesus will not find Him where theres fighting. Nor can we successfully instruct them spiritually in an unwholesome climate. Withdrawal from witnessing is not always a sign of defeat. It simply begs for the proper atmosphere to enable those without Him to concentrate on His message. In situation before us, Jesus had withdrawn, and people were seeking Him.

Do you know people who are seeking Him? Have you shared the Gospel with them? Maybe you need to select a better time or place –somewhere where they are not under observation by others, and somewhere where you will have an atmosphere suitable for witnessing. The Holy Spirit will

lead and guide you. Listen closely to His voice. A lost and hungering soul is depending on you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”