Jesus begins His ministry with word and deed, proclamation and demonstration, of the Kingdom of God coming into the midst of the earth through Him. He has come to bring good news. He tells of that good news and He shows that good news in healing and deliverance.

Entering into the story of Israel, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where He is tested by the devil. His testing shows us what His way is really all about. His testing shows us how to endure the tests of the wilderness.

John the Baptist appears as a forerunner to the Messiah. John is the Elijah-like prophet foretold, crying out in the wilderness for people to prepare for the Lord. Jesus comes to be baptized and we know He is the one for whom we all have been preparing.