By these first disciples calling him rabbi, they have opened themselves to the education of their desires according to the curriculum of Jesus. By following him to where he is staying, they will find a life of abiding, not only with Jesus, but with the whole life of God in which Jesus is grounded.

We are bombarded with endless crises and distractions and small comforts—little hits of relief wherever we can find them. The baptism of Jesus reminds us that the deepest relief, the truest joy, is already spoken over us. As on the day of Jesus’ baptism, God’s joy is not postponed until we all get things right, or until the world is healed. It is offered now.