Sunday: John Baptizes Jesus — Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-23; Mark 1:9-11
There are three significant aspects of Jesus’ baptism. By opening the heavens, God publicly declared that Jesus’ baptism was not a display of repentance, but was an identification with sinners and was pleasing to the Father. When the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, the entire Godhead was revealed at that moment. And when God, His Father, spoke from heaven all who witnessed the event knew that Jesus wasn’t just another man being baptized, but that He was the Son of God.
Monday: Tempted in the Wilderness #1 — Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13
Everyone faces temptation, but Jesus’ temptation was more severe and He faced every kind of temptation that mankind faces. The first temptation He overcame was the lust of the flesh (Matthew 4:3-4); the second temptation was pride (Matthew 4:5-7). And the third was lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:8-11). Jesus didn’t need to be tempted in the wilderness to help Him grow. Instead, He endured temptation for the same reason He was baptized: to identify with us (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15). Additionally, His overcoming temptation demonstrated His holy and sinless character.
Tuesday: Tempted in the Wilderness #2 — Luke 4:1-13
The first temptation Jesus faced was in the area of physical needs. He had been fasting for 40 days, and Luke records, was hungry. In fact, it was likely that in His physical body Jesus was beginning to starve to death. Jesus may have been physically hungry, but full of the Spirit. What a contrast this is to us. We tend to be just the opposite with full stomachs and empty spirits. Jesus responds with Scripture to battle Satan’s temptation. He didn’t draw on some super power, He used the same resource available to us, showing us that when we’re faced with temptation, we can go to the Word of God to find the power to overcome.
Wednesday: John’s Self-Identification — John 1:19-28
The Gospel of John emphasizes John’s role as a witness. The reference to the “sandal strap” refers to foot washing. It was the duty of the lowest slave in the house to undo the sandal of guests in preparation for footwashing. John felt even lower than the lowest in relation to the Messiah, the King of Kings. How dynamic it would be that the Son of God would later wash His disciples’ feet.
Thursday: Identifying the Son of God — John 1:29-34
John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. Just as His ministry was beginning, Jesus is greeted with words that remind Him of His destiny–His sacrifice as a lamb upon the cross. John also testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. He then relates, as proof, his eyewitness testimony that the Spirit of God descended on Jesus, and remained with Him.
Friday: First Followers of Jesus — John 1:35-51
Two of John’s disciples began to follow Jesus. One of those was Andrew. Andrew then brought his brother, Peter. Philip came to Jesus as the result of a direct call from Jesus. Philip then invited Nathanael. Nathanael had many personal prejudices to overcome, but when he had a personal encounter with Jesus he was convinced that Jesus was the Son of God and the King of Israel.
Saturday: The First Miracle — John 2:1-12
In his book, Miracles, C. S. Lewis points out that every miracle Jesus does is an example of doing instantly what would take a longer period of time to accomplish, if it was naturally possible at all. Jesus is able to overcome the elements of time, growth, distance, and even fermentation. In this, His first miracle, He showed He even had the ability to manipulate the processes of nature: for water can never ferment into wine!