Caleb Drahosh \\ In John 2:1-12, Jesus goes to a wedding with his mom, brothers, and disciples. When the wine runs out, the groom stands to be dishonored and so Mary asks Jesus to do something. But Jesus wouldn't act to help the groom save face, He would act to make a statement: the Messiah is here. Jesus celebrates in the ordinary and brings about something extraordinary to keep the celebration going––and to point to greater celebrations that would come as a result of Him. Every time we celebrate in the ordinary, we celebrate the extraordinary because the same will that turned water into wine at a simple wedding in Cana, brought you from death to life.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In John 1:43-51, Jesus finds Philip and tells Philip to follow Him. Philip follows and then goes to find Nathanael, claiming that he has found the Christ. Nathanael realizes that Jesus is who Philip says He is and responds in faith: "You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus came from a backwater place, Nazareth. And so did Philip––Bethsaida was likely a blue collar town where fishing was the primary industry. But out of the forgotten places in Galilee, great faith would be established and lived out.

John Baumgartner \\ Peter was a man just like us—an average fisherman. He failed and denied his Lord, but Jesus restored Peter to be a leader in the Church. In this letter to Gentile Christians, Peter bestows all the blessings that Israel was promised unto everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. The promises to Israel are now ours, only because we are among those that the Father foreknew. And because of that we have been set apart by His Spirit that we would believe in Jesus His Son, who by His blood cleansed us from our sins once for all time and gave to us all the blessings of God for His people.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In John 1:35-42, two disciples of John the Baptist hear about Jesus and begin following Him. They leave everything behind, seeking to learn from Jesus and go with Him wherever He goes. And then Andrew––one of these two men––brings his brother, Simon, to meet Jesus. Disciples are those who are continually hearing the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done, are following Him by learning from Him, are going where He goes, and are bringing others to meet Jesus.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In John 1:30-34, John the Baptist gives an account of who Jesus is. He says that Jesus is unparalleled––Jesus ranks before John the Baptist (and everyone for that matter) because Jesus is eternal. Jesus is sincere––there is no deceit or hypocrisy in Him; Jesus acts in humility coming in the flesh to serve. And Jesus is unique––there is no one else that can do what Jesus came to do: baptize in the Holy Spirit; there is no one other than Jesus, the Son of God, who can give spiritual life. Just as the sun conceals the stars with its brilliance, so Jesus stands unrivaled in all of history.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In John 1:29, John the Baptist makes a very important declaration as he introduces Jesus: "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Jesus is God’s perfect provision that will bring all kinds of people back into relationship with God by taking their sins upon Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice.

Caleb Drahosh \\ This passage explores the testimony of John the Baptist when questioned by men sent by the Pharisees. John explains that he has one purpose––he is the voice crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord." He does not take glory for himself, but in humility points to the One to whom all the glory and honor is due: Jesus Christ.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In Psalm 110 we meet a King who King David calls, "my Lord." This King's authority comes from Yahweh, His reign is over all, and He is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. This King is Jesus Christ, sent by God, established as King, who offered Himself as the once-and-for-all sacrifice to set His people apart.

Kalen Heller \\ Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise, enabling the Lord’s people to celebrate their privileged place in the created order, which speaks of the glorious Creator. As God’s people, we have been crowned with glory and honor to enact dominion over the LORD’s creation. The Psalmist also speaks of our weakness and sin, but as followers of Jesus Christ, we have been crowned with glory and honor to display before a broken world the power and majesty of the Name that is above every other name.

John Baumgartner \\ Psalm 40 is a Psalm of waiting. David is waiting for God to deliver him in the middle of an unknown trial. He reminds himself how the LORD has delivered him before and will do it again. In faith David hopes for deliverance and praises God. By the Holy Spirit, David prophesied of the great deliverance to come in Jesus Christ. Because Christ has delivered us, we can pray and wait and hope even in the midst of suffering just as David did.