In our walk through the Bible’s timeless story, we are clearly turning the page from Old Testament to New Testament with the celebration of the Christ Child’s birth. We now begin our look at the life of Jesus Christ, from the Gospel of John.

This week, the writer of John invites us to see Jesus as the center piece of a new creation, initiated by God, just as was the first creation. The claim is bold and far-reaching, yet quickly becomes personal and inviting.

This new type of invitation to people from God is crafted around “seeing and being seen,” “knowing and being known,” and “finding and being found.” Yes, the “grace upon grace” offered people, is given through relationship with Jesus, the Word made flesh, come to live among us.

The exchanges between Jesus and the first disciples in this Gospel are memorable for their double meanings and unanswered questions (What are you looking for? Where are you staying?), yet beautiful for the twice-used invitation to “Come and see” and the final promise that those who follow/believe will see “even greater things”. The point is subtle but strong, meeting Jesus is just the beginning. The relationship will unfold in surprising and life-giving ways.

For us today, we first hear the promises of Jesus in our baptism and today’s reading from John tells briefly of Jesus’ baptism. So, when we worship this weekend, we will affirm the promises and call we continue to receive in our own Christian baptism.