During Lent, our attention ultimately turns to the end of Jesus's ministry, his crucifixion, and, ultimately, his resurrection. This often includes a close consideration of the last words of Christ. But Lent is also a good time to remember and reflect on his first words. As with the last words, the various gospels report Jesus's first words differently.
In Matthew, Jesus's first words are words of humility. John hesitates when Jesus comes to him for baptism. Jesus answers "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness."
In Mark, Jesus's first words are words of prophecy and summoning. "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.'"
In Luke, Jesus's first words are words declaring his relationship to the Father. Mary and Joseph have returned to Jersualem in a desperate search for the twelve-year-old boy who remained behind when they departed. "How is it that you sought me?" Jesus asks when they finally find him in the temple. "Did you not know that I must be in my father's house?"
As with Christ's final words, these words seem to capture something essential about Jesus, about who He was, and about what He came to do. But my favorite first words are those that appear in the Gospel of John. For when we meet Jesus there he begins our relationship by saying words that irresistibly draw us into a deep contemplation not only of who He was -- but also of who we are.
In the Gospel of John, Christ's first words are simply these: "What do you seek?"
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