A Cheering Incident At Bethabara

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John 10:39-42

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,…

1. Because our Saviour's reasoning was unanswerable, "therefore the Jews sought again to take Him." When men cannot answer holy arguments with fair reasonings they can give hard answers with stones. He who hates the truth soon hates its advocate.

2. When our Lord found that there was nothing to be done He went away. He knew when to speak and when to refrain. Opposition in one quarter is sometimes an intimation to labour elsewhere. But though our Lord left the obstinate He never ceased to do good. Many despair under similar circumstances. But the flight of Christ from men in one place may cause the flight of souls to Him in another. Though Jesus withdrew from the stones which filled the hands of the angry Jews, He went to the place where John had said, "God is able with these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."

I. IT IS VERY PLEASANT TO KNOW THE PLACE WHERE MEN BELIEVED. Not that this is essential. A man may live and yet not know where he was born, although we may be glad to know our birthplace. And so the main question is, Are you born again? Still it is a help to know the place, and some of us know it to a yard. What was there particular about this place? It was the place —

1. Where Divine ordinances had been observed. Where the Lord is obeyed we may hope to see Him revealed. In keeping His commandments there is great reward, although the outward ordinance of itself cannot secure a blessing.

2. Where faithful preaching concerning Jesus had been heard.

(1) John preached the gospel of repentance, and where that is the case men will come to believe in Jesus. The plough must lead the way, and then it is good sowing.

(2) He testified that Jesus was "the Lamb of God," etc. No wonder that men believed when the savour of such a ministry lingered in men's minds! What an encouragement to the faithful preacher; though dead, he will yet speak.

3. Where God had borne witness to His Son. The Holy Ghost is wont to go where He has gone before; and where the Father has borne witness to Christ once we may expect Him to do so again.

4. Where the first disciple had been won. To visit the place of their own spiritual birth would cause a renewal of their vows, and act as an encouragement to persevere in winning others. Where solid stones have been quarried, there remains more material which may yet be brought forth.

5. In what place cannot Jesus triumph? He needs no temple: nay, in its porch He finds cavillers, but yonder by the willows of the Jordan He finds a people that believe on Him. So in all times and now.

II. IT IS INSTRUCTIVE TO NOTE THE TIME WHEN MEN ARE LED TO FAITH. Some cannot, and it is not essential, yet it is blessed to those who can.

1. It was after a time of obstinate opposition. The Saviour could make nothing of the cavilling Jews; but no sooner does He cross the river than many believe on Him. Opposition is no sign of defeat. When the devil roars it is because his kingdom is being shaken.

2. It was a time of calm, unbroken quietude. Those who came were prepared to hear thoughtfully. Some persons may be converted by those who strive and cry to make their voice heard in the streets, but solemn consideration is the healthiest for gospel preaching.

3. It was a time of great desire for hearing "many." You cannot catch fish where there are none; but when they come swarming up to the net we may hope to take some of them. When men are as eager to enter the house of prayer as to go to a theatre, we may hope that God means to bless them.

4. It was a time of which nothing else need be said, but that many believed. The happiest days are when many believe; this is the most honourable record for a Church.

III. IT IS CHEERING TO OBSERVE THE FACT ITSELF.

1. It was a great refreshment to the Saviour's heart. "There He abode." He seemed at home there. When the polished citizens rejected Him, when the wise Jews would not hear Him, the plain rustics of Peraea stood listening with delight. This was to be an oasis of comfort before the burning desert of the passion.

2. It was the fruit of John's word. Good work never dies.

3. It was more directly the result of our Lord's own presence. They first saw what He did, and compared it with what John had testified, and then drew the conclusion that all that John said was true.

4. The faith produced was —

(1) Decided. They did not promise to try to believe, to think about it, etc.; they believed on Him there.

(2) Prompt. Christ had preached without result for years to some others; but to these He spoke only for a short time, and they believed on Him.

(3) Solid. They could give a reason for it.

(4) Widespread "many." We should look for numerous conversions since Christ gave His life a ransom for many.

(5) What Christ lived and died for, what we preach for, what the Bible was written for, what churches are built for.

IV. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A SECOND EDITION OF IT.

1. Many are here.

2. Christ is here.

3. The witness borne here is more abundant than that borne at Bethabara.

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