Digging Ditches

Jesus Prepares for His Ministry

Continuing Jesus' story from his aspect as fully man.

Digging Ditches: (2 Kings 3:16)

When three kings of Palestine were headed out to war, they ran out of water. They asked Elisha what to do, and he consulted God, who said, "Make this valley full of ditches. You won't see wind or rain, but this valley will be filled with water." And so it  was. The three kings had thought they were ready for war, but they had forgotten to consult God the Father. They were not yet prepared.

So, what does this have to do with Jesus, in the late winter of AD 27?

Jesus at 30 sensed that his time to serve was at hand, so he went to the Jordan where the Baptist was preaching that God's time was at hand. He got baptized and heard from the Father: "You are my beloved Son. With you I am well pleased."

But Jesus was not yet prepared to engage in his ministry, for he had to go into the desert to face down Satan's attempts to throw him off track. Jesus stood on the Word of scripture and vanquished the devil, and angels came to minister to him.

But he still wasn't prepared. He needed to dig some ditches  and let God fill them.

Digging Ditches: (John 1:29, 35-36)

It's late winter of AD 27 and Jesus is back from the desert. He doesn't have anyone following him, and he doesn't seem to have any disciples. It should be time for him to start his ministry. What should he do? How does he gather followers or disciples?

PLAN A: The Baptist has been gathering crowds, and has a few disciples. Maybe Jesus should copy the Baptist. Some commentaries have suggested that Jesus was indeed a  disciple of the Baptist, in part because his first known sermons repeated one of the Baptist's mantras: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2, 4:17; Mark 1:15). But aside from his baptism and a brief interlude after Jesus' time in the desert, there's no other indication to support this.

Copy the Baptist? No, the Baptist is already doing a good job of stirring up the hopes of the people. There is no need for a second Baptist copying the first. Copycats don't make good mega-leaders.

PLAN B: Preach a prosperity gospel. Everyone wants to be prosperous, right? This should bring the people in. Break out the bread, so that everyone can eat! But wait. He already had a conversation with Satan about that. Scripture says that mankind does not live by bread, but by every word from the mouth of God.

PLAN C: Do a spectacular miracle, that will amaze everyone by his power! That will bring them in. Throw yourself from the pinnacle of the temple, so every one can see the angels holding you up! Oh wait. Satan and Jesus already discussed that. It was no good doing God-tricks, that was not allowed.

PLAN D: Work the politics. Partner up with the rich movers and shakers, and get the kings of the earth on your side. There's great power in politics. But uh-oh. Where does that power come from? Right. Directly from Satan, the chief of the powers of the air and the politics of the lands. So what's left?

PLAN E: Disciples. Jesus has already accepted that he's not going to be around for more than a few years. He's going to return to the Father and needs disciples to carry on his work. But if he's thrown out plans A through D, how does he gather disciples? I mean, this movement is going to change the  world. He needs a committed core group and an inspired army of disciples. Who can bring him this?

Ditches. That's it. Just like Elisha advised the three kings. Plow the fields of people and let God bring the disciples. So that's where  we find Jesus: walking purposely back and forth in the vicinity of the Baptist's ministry, connecting with people and waiting for something to happen.

The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

God is about to make his move. The Holy Spirit is about to do something. Jesus' active ministry is about to be born. His 'ditches' will be filled with disciples.

Son of God: Charcoal Pencil Drawing by Marina Petry