February 16, 2023
Spending or Wasting Time?
“After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—for John had not yet been thrown into prison.” John 3:22-24 (NASB)
When I was about 16, my father retired from the U. S. Army. We moved to St. Augustine, Florida and found property. Dad wanted to build our home. When we started, dad took me to a building supply center to get materials. He bought tools for me to assist in building the home. “Pretty cool,” I thought! I’d never done this type of work, so I was excited but nervous. Dad said he would teach me, then I was to do what he said. My dad was a former building contractor, so he knew what he was doing. He was really patient with me over the next two years. “Really” patient. As the home began to take shape, I learned how to do many facets of construction. He taught me, but I needed to act upon what I learned. Otherwise, the home would take longer to construct. After two years we finished. It felt good. I had been a part of something special. It took time to learn, but I learned more from doing than watching. God wants the same.
In the previous passages, we see the closing encounter with Nicodemus. Jesus and the disciples depart into Judea for work ahead. Along the way, Jesus begins investing in the disciples lives by “…spending time with them.” This was an intentional act of Jesus. He knew what they needed. He prepared them to begin baptizing those who had come. The work they did would be witnessed by Jesus, but He would not engage in the physical act. This is noted in John 4:2 “although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were.” He allowed the disciples to conduct the act, but He was the Agent of the act. This all came as a result of being prepared for the work ahead, but it took time. Jesus was “spending time with them.” Just as those who prepared to come to water for baptism, the disciples were being prepared before the physical act. The One who began the preparation, was the One who mankind would come to know as Savior.
Nothing Jesus does in Scripture begins without His preparation though. He is intentional about everything. It is the same today for you and me. We all are being prepared for His work, and He has given us everything we need to complete His work. We have His Word, His Spirit, and His promises. All we need to do is “spend time…” John the Baptist began his ministry too in time with God. God prepared him for the work ahead. He “spent time.” Get the message here?
This brings an interesting observation. Many Christians today spend countless hours in study over the Word of God. This is great. They are diligent in their pursuits of learning everything they can about God, then they stop. They stop at the point where action never occurs. They become conduits of insight from the Word of God, but no action ever occurs to share it with others. They will go to the well and drink often, but never act on these things. Be sure of one thing today, God is preparing each of us every day, but He wants us to do His work. Just as the disciples walked with Jesus, and He prepared them for this act, He expected them to respond. They needed to do something with what they learned. Again, don’t miss this. He prepares and now He puts the work in front of them. Just as my dad taught me what to do, he wanted me to act upon his word. Be encouraged today to get out of your comfort zone and act upon what He has called you do for His kingdom. Then you will see God constructing something wonderful!