The Baptism of Jesus​

    The Jews were under Roman rule and still waiting for the Messiah.  It had been 30 years since the shepherds heard the good news about Jesus' birth.

    A prophet by the name of John the Baptist was sent by God to announce the coming Messiah.  He spoke to people in the wilderness and he was different from the priests of the temple.  His clothes were made from camel's hair, he ate wild honey and locusts.  John spoke boldly and many people repented (were sorry) for their sins and got baptized by John in the Jordan River.

    One day Jesus came to John and asked to be baptized.  John was hesitant because he felt unworthy and knew who Jesus was.  Jesus had no sin that needed to be forgiven but He did it to show that He was taking His place with those who believed God's Word.  Jesus was now ready to begin the work that He was sent to do on earth.  

    The 3 parts of God were all present at this important baptism.  When Jesus was coming up out of the water, the Spirit of God in what looked like a dove came down and rested on him.  Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 
(Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11; Luke 3:1-22; John 1:6-28)


Just For You:
Jesus the Son was baptized to begin His work on earth, when God spoke He was showing that He loved His Son and that He was in favour of the work Jesus had come to do (save people from their sins), and that the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus to give Him the power to do His work.  Jesus is the perfect Son of God who pleased His Father.

Memory Verse:
"And a voice came from heaven:  "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."  Mark 1:11

Do You Know?
1. What were the Jews waiting for?
2. Describe John the Baptist.
3. Why didn't John want to baptize Jesus?
4. Why did Jesus want to be baptized?
5. What happened when Jesus came up out of the water?
​6. Does baptism get rid of our sin?

Do You Know? (Answers)
1. The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to come.
2. John lived in the wilderness eating wild honey and locusts. His clothes were made from camel's hair and he wore a leather belt.  He loved God and
    baptized people.
3. He felt unworthy to baptize Jesus and thought that it should be the other way around.
4. Jesus wanted to be baptized to set an example to people by "fulfilling all righteousness" and to be prepared to start His ministry.
5. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove came down and rested on Jesus.  God the Father spoke from heaven saying, "This is my son whom I
    love; with you I am well pleased"
6. No. When we get baptized we are letting others know that we have asked God to forgive us and that we are identifying with Christ.