JESUS,

THE CALLING

The first sighting of Jesus in the New Testament is that at the baptism with John the Baptist.

Indeed, the first public sighting of Jesus in the New Testament is at His baptism by John the Baptist. This significant event is recounted in multiple Gospels. Matthew 3:13-17 provides a detailed account, where Jesus comes to John at the Jordan River to be baptized. John initially hesitates, recognizing Jesus' divine nature and feeling unworthy to baptize Him. However, Jesus insists, saying it is necessary to "fulfill all righteousness."

The baptism of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the New Testament, marking the beginning of His public ministry. It is significant for several reasons:

Identification with Humanity: Despite being sinless, Jesus' willingness to be baptized by John symbolizes His identification with humanity's sinful condition and His role as the Redeemer.
Anointing by the Holy Spirit: The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove during Jesus' baptism signifies His anointing for the ministry. It marks Him as the Messiah, empowered by the Spirit to fulfill His earthly mission.
Divine Approval: The voice from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased," affirms Jesus' divine sonship and God's approval of Him. This declaration aligns with prophecies from the Old Testament about the coming Messiah.

This event sets the stage for Jesus' ministry, revealing both His humility in identifying with sinners and His divine authority as the Son of God. It's a foundational event for Christian doctrine, highlighting the Trinity's manifestation and Jesus' mission to bring salvation to humanity.

Mark and Luke also record it.

Yes, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is indeed recorded in the Gospels of Mark and Luke as well, highlighting its importance in the narrative of Jesus' life and ministry.

In the Gospel of Mark, the account of Jesus' baptism is found in Mark 1:9-11. Mark's version is concise, focusing on the key elements: Jesus' baptism by John, the heavens opening, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the voice from heaven affirming Jesus as God's beloved Son. Mark's Gospel, known for its brevity and immediacy, captures this pivotal moment in a straightforward manner.

Luke's account, found in Luke 3:21-22, parallels those of Matthew and Mark but includes some unique elements. Luke notes that Jesus was praying when the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. This emphasis on prayer is a distinctive feature of Luke's Gospel, highlighting the importance of prayer in Jesus' life and ministry. Luke also shares the divine affirmation of Jesus as God's Son, underscoring His divine identity and mission.

Each Gospel writer, while narrating the same event, brings out different aspects of the baptism, contributing to a fuller understanding of its significance. This event's inclusion in multiple Gospels underscores its importance as the inauguration of Jesus' public ministry and as a revelation of His identity as the Messiah and the Son of God.

Following closely His baptism He went into the wilderness for 40 days.

Yes, that's correct. Following His baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days, an event detailed in the Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Matthew 4:1-11: This account describes how the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus is tempted three times by Satan. Each temptation is met with a response from Jesus using Scripture, emphasizing His obedience and faithfulness to God's Word. The temptations include turning stones into bread, jumping from the temple's pinnacle, and worshipping Satan in exchange for the kingdoms of the world.
Mark 1:12-13: Mark’s account is more succinct. It mentions that the Spirit immediately drove Jesus into the wilderness, where He stayed for 40 days, tempted by Satan. Mark also notes that Jesus was with wild animals and angels ministered to Him, adding unique details not found in the other Gospels.
Luke 4:1-13: Luke’s narrative closely parallels Matthew's, including the three temptations and Jesus' scriptural responses. Luke emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in leading Jesus into the wilderness and the fullness of the Spirit in Him during the temptations.

This period in the wilderness is significant for several reasons:

Fulfillment of Old Testament Themes: The 40 days in the wilderness echo the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness, symbolizing a period of testing and dependence on God.
Preparation for Ministry: This time of testing prepares Jesus for His public ministry. It demonstrates His obedience and submission to the Father's will, setting a pattern for His earthly ministry.
Spiritual Victory: Jesus' victory over Satan's temptations is a testament to His divine nature and sinlessness, qualifying Him as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins.

The wilderness experience is a powerful illustration of Jesus' humanity and divinity, showing His reliance on God and His authority over temptation. It's a foundational event for understanding Jesus' character and mission, and it offers profound insights into the nature of temptation and the importance of Scripture and reliance on God for overcoming it.

The next sightings are of Him calling His followers.

Following His time of temptation, the next major events in Jesus' ministry, as recorded in the Gospels, involve Him calling His first disciples. This is a significant phase in His ministry, as He begins to gather those who would be His closest followers and learn from Him directly.

In the Gospel of John, the calling of the first disciples occurs right after Jesus’ baptism (John 1:35-51). John the Baptist points Jesus out as the "Lamb of God," and two of John's disciples, one of whom is Andrew, begin to follow Jesus. Andrew then finds his brother Simon (who Jesus calls Peter), and Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael in a similar manner. This narrative showcases the personal way in which Jesus calls His disciples, often meeting them in their daily lives and situations.

In the Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – the calling of the first disciples is described with Jesus inviting fishermen to follow Him. In Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 1:16-20, Jesus calls Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, and then the sons of Zebedee, James and John, as they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Luke’s account (Luke 5:1-11) gives a more detailed story where, after a miraculous catch of fish, Simon Peter, James, and John leave everything to follow Jesus.

These moments of calling are significant for several reasons:

Fulfillment of Prophecy: The gathering of disciples is seen as a fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, where the Messiah would lead and teach a group of followers.
Establishment of the Church: The disciples would later become the apostles, the foundational leaders of the early Christian church.
Model of Discipleship: These stories set a pattern for Christian discipleship, showing the response of immediate and total commitment to Jesus' call.

In these accounts, we see the beginnings of Jesus' ministry not only in preaching and performing miracles but also in building a community of followers who would carry His message to the world. The call to follow Jesus, demonstrated in these early interactions, remains a central aspect of Christian faith and life.

His ministry started with a miracle at a wedding, in which He told His mother His time had not yet come.

The first recorded miracle of Jesus' ministry, as described in the Gospel of John, indeed took place at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. This event is chronicled in John 2:1-11. At this wedding, Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, which is significant for several reasons in the context of His ministry and in Christian theology.

At the wedding, when the wine ran out, Jesus' mother, Mary, informed Him of the situation, implying that He could do something about it. Jesus' initial response to her was, "Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come." This statement is interpreted in various ways, but it generally suggests that the time for Him to fully reveal His divine nature and mission had not yet arrived. Despite this, at Mary's prompting and with implicit trust in her son, Jesus instructs the servants to fill jars with water, which He then miraculously turns into high-quality wine.

This miracle is significant for several reasons:

Sign of Divine Authority: The miracle at Cana is the first of the "signs" in the Gospel of John that reveal Jesus' divine nature and authority. It demonstrates His power over the natural world, affirming His identity as the Son of God.
Symbolism of Transformation: The transformation of water into wine can be seen as symbolic of the transformative power of Jesus' ministry and message. Just as the water became something entirely new and better, so too does Jesus bring new life and transformation to those who believe in Him.
Inauguration of Jesus' Public Ministry: This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It's significant that His first miracle was performed in the context of a celebration, highlighting the joy and fullness that He brings into human life.
Foreshadowing of the Last Supper and Eucharist: Some Christian interpretations see this miracle as a foreshadowing of the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, where Jesus uses wine to represent His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins.

The wedding at Cana is a foundational event in the New Testament, revealing Jesus’ divine power and setting the tone for His earthly ministry. It shows His compassion and willingness to intervene in human situations, while also subtly pointing to the greater work He was about to accomplish through His life, death, and resurrection.