Even though the earliest five disciples - John, Andrew, Simon (newly named Peter), Philip, Nathanael - have their ideas of who Jesus is and what Jesus is about, it is telling that Jesus still must give their insights a clearer meaning. The Messiah gets to identify what this means, not those who follow Him. Our understanding of the Messiah is shaped by the Messiah, not our own fancies or ideas. This stirs many unique conversations as we walk with Jesus toward Cana in Galilee.

Good News ignites and excites! Andrew, being able to recognize the Messiah, goes to share the good news with his brother - Simon. The next day, the good news is shared with Philip. It doesn't take long before Philip finds Nathanael, commenting that the one "Moses wrote about" has been discovered. Graciously, Nathanael's questions were respected, then answered. Wondrously, in the regular, daily conversations among seekers and doubters, the "Son of God" and the "King of Israel" is recognized.

When the larger group doesn't follow Jesus, work with a smaller group. John, after pointing to Jesus among the crowds, points to Jesus while talking with just two. These two, hearing John and trusting their teacher, do what he requests: follow Jesus. This becomes a wonderful conversation between Jesus and these two learners, concluding with the realization that the Messiah has been found! What God, through His Word, had promised, was happening!

Jesus is tested by the Satan, the "accuser" and "abuser" of all. John the Baptizer is being tested by the religious leadership. Jesus held to the Word. John the Baptizer held to the Truth. Here, the Truth is pointing away from himself and pointing toward Jesus. This is our Truth too: "I must decrease," says John the Baptizer, "he, that is Jesus, must increase."

Since the Satan quotes the Bible in his dealings with us, we must know the Word. Knowing the Word of God is a matter of our "getting into the Word," hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, meditating and applying God's Word in our daily lives. Knowing the Bible is, more importantly, a lifetime of "the Word getting into us," shaping our thoughts, molding our imaginations, correcting our choices, guiding our worship, developing our character. The Word deals with the satanic idolatries that confront us every day. Learn from Jesus to deal with evil.

Jesus, hungry in body but alive in the Holy Spirit, quotes the Word of the LORD revealed through Moses as His defense against the temptation of the Satan. In doing this, Jesus proves that the Word engaged and embodied is the truest sustenance of our lives. Yes, food is important, vital in fact, but while material provisions only provide temporary relief, the Word of the LORD is the necessary resource for our lives.

John was in the wilderness when the Word of the LORD came to him, awakening him and commissioning him for his public ministry. Jesus was at the Jordan River when the Spirit of the LORD came upon Him, entering Him, and driving Him into the wilderness to be tempted/tested. One cannot miss the echoes of ancient Israel's wilderness wanderings as Jesus is confronted by the Evil One. In this episode, notice how the Tempter seeks to exploit bodily weakness and human desire: hunger. At the heart of the temptation is the same questioning-attitude expressed in the Garden of Eden. Satan comes questioning God's Word!

The Word announces the arrival of the King! This is the message of John the Baptizer. This raises the questions: "what gives you the right?" and "are you the king we are searching for?" People want an explanation of God's actions that can be understood and affirmed. In his defense, John returns to the ancient Scriptures, pointing us to the purpose and faithfulness of the Living God through His Word. And, in the same response, John the Baptizer positions himself as an unworthy servant/slave when compared to the Christ.

Jesus, so it seems, responded to the preaching of the coming-Kingdom through John the Baptizer. The messages of Kingdom-life coupled with the the emphasis of John upon the Christ's presence in the world and of his coming to Israel likely struck a chord in Jesus. Here, in a revelation of wondrous humility and understanding, Jesus enters into the Jordan River to be baptized in water. The response from the heavens still echoes around the world today!

When the Word makes alive, it seems natural that the world would ask questions. When one lives and speaks from the resources of the Word, the world wonders "what is happening here?" John the Baptizer is asked such questions, and, in keeping with his divine calling, he answers "I am here to point to Another." How does John point to the Christ? He uses the same means available to us: words. John speaks, teaching people the truth of the One all of creation looks to and for.