“Many Believed in Him There”
Seeking Jesus First - May 14, 2026
“Many Believed in Him There”
Please Read John 10:41–42 (NKJV)
Reflection
After the intense confrontation where Jesus declared, “I and My Father are one,” and the Jews tried to stone Him, He withdrew across the Jordan to the place where John the Baptist had first baptized.
Many people came to Him there and said:
“John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.”
And the Scripture records this beautiful outcome: “And many believed in Him there.”
These people had heard the powerful testimony of John the Baptist. John had pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God and the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. But hearing about Jesus was not enough. When they met Him personally — when they encountered the Living Word for themselves — they believed.
This is a vital principle in the Kingdom life. Many people have heard good preaching, powerful testimonies, or strong teaching about Jesus. But there is a difference between hearing about Him and meeting Him for yourself. The people who crossed the Jordan did not just believe John’s report — they believed in Jesus because they encountered Him.
John the Baptist had done his job well. He had prepared the way. He had decreased so that Jesus could increase. Now the people were moving from secondhand faith to firsthand faith. They believed, not just because of what they had heard, but because they had seen and experienced the reality of Christ for themselves.
In the Kingdom life, our faith must become personal. Testimonies are wonderful. Preaching is powerful. But nothing can replace a personal encounter with Jesus. When we meet Him for ourselves, belief becomes conviction, and conviction becomes devotion.
Application
Today, ask yourself honestly: Is my faith secondhand (built mostly on what others have said about Jesus), or is it firsthand (rooted in my own encounters with Him)? Renew your mind with this truth: Many believed in Him there because they met Him personally. Make time today for a personal encounter with Jesus. Open your Bible, quiet your heart, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you afresh. Tell Him, “Lord, I want to know You for myself.” Then step out in simple obedience to what He shows you. Turn your hearing about Jesus into a living, personal faith in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that many believed in Jesus when they met Him personally. Thank You for the faithful testimony of John the Baptist that prepared the way. Forgive us when our faith has been secondhand — built more on the words of others than on personal encounter with Your Son. Draw us close to Jesus today. Reveal Yourself to us in fresh ways. Turn our hearing into seeing, and our knowledge into intimate relationship. Let our faith become strong, personal, and alive because we have met the Living Christ for ourselves. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.