John 1.6-8, 19-34: John comes in the wilderness to signal both the coming disintegration of the known Jewish world and the recreation through the coming Messiah. He calls all as individuals to ready themselves, to set themselves up for renewal, reorientation, and recreation. Themes of creation, of water, and of Spirit circle all around as John points our eyes to Jesus. “Look,” he says, “not at me, but at Him!” Who is Him? The Lamb of God, the Word made flesh, the Messiah, Jesus.