03.24. Back to the Jordan Valley

Back to the Jordan Valley The recent dispute in the temple had threatened such violence that Jesus decided to leave Jerusalem for a while. He went across the Jordan into Perea, where John the Baptist had preached.¹ The welcome Jesus received there was in marked contrast to the hostility of Jerusalem.

Jesus did not remain in Perea. He seems to have moved around the Jordan Valley, bringing his message of life and hope to people on both sides of the river. These were a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, but to all he made it clear that they should believe in him without delay, because they would not have the opportunity to hear from him again. Soon he would return to Jerusalem for the last time. People should stop debating theoretical questions about who would or would not be saved, and instead make sure of their own salvation. For on the judgment day, many who assume they are in God’s kingdom will find themselves left outside.²

One reason why crowds continued to follow Jesus was that many still misunderstood the kingdom he proclaimed. They thought of a political structure, even though Jesus had promised no such thing. What he saw ahead was the sacrifice of his own life, and he warned his followers that they were to be prepared for the same end.³ To follow Jesus means to love him more than anything else. It means to be loyal even to death. On the other hand, the kingdom of God is not something threatening or grim. It is open even to children. In fact, people must, in a sense, enter it as children.⁴ This does not mean that they are to be childish or naïve, but that they are to come in a spirit of complete dependence. Christ’s kingdom has no place for those who hold high opinions of themselves, or who think they can gain eternal life through their own wisdom, effort or good works.

1. John 10:40-42 2. Luke 13:22-30 3. Luke 14:25-27 4. Luke 18:15-17

‘Let the children come to me’