“And in that place many believed in Jesus.“ (Jn 10:42) Jesus left Jerusalem and went across the Jordan river to a place called Perea. It was a desert place. In Jerusalem, the home of the Jewish faith, a place where you would think Jesus, the famous rabbi, would be welcomed, He was not. The religious leaders tried to stone Him to death because of His teachings. So Jesus left.
In the desert place, Jesus had a different experience. He was welcomed and many believed in Him. Previously, John the Baptist had done his ministry in this desert place, baptizing many, preaching about the Messiah to come. When Jesus arrived, the people were ready for Him and believed, because the people saw that everything John had said about Jesus was true.
As we witness to others about Jesus, don’t lose heart if some want to “stone” Him, even if you had thought they would be receptive. Sometimes it’s in a desert place where the word will grow root and people will believe on Jesus. Like John the Baptist, we can leave a mark on people by the witness of our Jesus words and Jesus life. That mark will prepare them to believe on Jesus.
