Jesus then went back again across the Jordan River to the place where John had been baptizing, and he stayed there. Many people came to him. "John performed no miracles," they said, "but everything he said about this man was true." And many people there believed in him.

John 10:40-42

John the Baptist had been dead for at least two years and the memory of his ministry was starting to fade. That is always the way it is when a public figure leaves the scene and is eclipsed by a more visible successor. As the crowds gathered around Jesus near the spot where John had taught and baptized people, they remembered what he had done. It was John who baptized Jesus. Like John, we don’t need to perform miracles to tell people about Jesus. We can tell what we have learned about Him from the Bible, what He has done to change our hearts and our lives, and what He has done for others. If we faithfully pass on the good news about Jesus, we will have served our life’s purpose well.

Long after we are dead and gone, our words may come to the minds of those to whom we have witnessed. Our words from long ago may be the means of bringing them to faith in the Lord Jesus. Like seed buried in the ground, God’s Word, that we have sown, can lie dormant for many years and then spring up to eternal life. It’s not bad to perform no miracles, as long as people remember that what Jesus said is true. Walking with Jesus leaves footprints for others to follow.

Our Daily Bread – October 10, 2003