Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

Reading From John 10:24-42

“Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.”—John 10:40-42

Jesus went back to the place where He was first recognized in public as the Lamb of God and that was by His cousin John. John the Baptist was a prophet of the Old Covenant and Yahweh added to the Messianic prophecies through him. Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets; the promises of the Father embodied. Miracles, other than the signs that occurred when he baptized Jesus, were not a hallmark of John’s ministry.

For John, the preparation of people by repentance and water baptism to receive Jesus was his paramount emphasis. In our own lives, faith, confession and repentance prepares the way for Jesus to work His miracles in our lives and the greatest miracle of all is the redemption of our lives. As the Lord went back to the place where it all began, it is good for us to reflect on how far He has brought us from where we started.

“Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the beautiful tapestry of truth that is Your Word. You are faithful to do what You said You would. You are trustworthy and dependable. Thank You for who You are and all that You do for me and Your eternal family. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things. Amen.”

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”^[a]

—Matthew 3:1-3