What Jesus Did! 'Avoiding Conflict and Confusion' — John 4:1-3

Monday, February 28, 2022

Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them — his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
— John 4:1-3 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' ministry with his disciples involved baptizing. However, because of John the Baptizer's association with baptism, Jesus carefully avoided conflict and confusion. While he highly regarded John's ministry and John personally, [1] he did not want to be confused with John. John was not the Messiah. Jesus was. John was not the Son of God. Jesus was. John was not the Savior of the world. Jesus was. John was not the King of Israel. Jesus was. In fact, Jesus still is Messiah, Son, Savior, and King. But to avoid confusion and conflict, to follow God's timetable and not the world's expectations, Jesus went back to Galilee, where he had grown up. [2]

[1] Matthew 11:11.
[2] Luke 2:39-40.

Today's Prayer

Father, I know there are all sorts of conflicts that go on today between religious leaders and their followers. Please help me to value those who share the truth of Jesus. At the same time Father, please protect me from infatuation with these messengers and keep my heart focused on your message, Jesus, the living Word, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 16:13-16
  • Acts 4:8-12
  • John 14:6-7

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 28, 2022

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'I Bring Hidden Things into the Light'
"Dear Faithful Follower, Hide and seek is a great children's game. However, it is a dangerous and deadly spiritual game. If you are My follower, don't..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God’s Armor Is Vital Against Satan’s Schemes'
"Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully]..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Timothy 1:7
"God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

Illustration

Illustration of John 4:1-3 NLT — Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them — his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!