Jesus' Baptism
Beginning Ministry
Matthew 3:13-17about 2 minutes to read aloud
Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He learned the carpenter's trade from Joseph. He learned the Scriptures. When He was about thirty years old, the time had come for His work to begin.
His cousin John was preaching in the wilderness by the Jordan River. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." People came from every town to be baptized by him, confessing their sins.
John said, "One is coming who is greater than I. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. I am not worthy to untie His sandals."
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized. John tried to stop Him. "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" Jesus answered, "Let it be so now. It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."
John baptized Him. When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. The Spirit of God came down like a dove and rested on Him.
A voice came from heaven. "This is my Son, whom I love. With Him I am well pleased." The Father, the Son, and the Spirit — all there at the river, all one God. And the work of saving the world had begun.
Questions to talk about
Who baptized Jesus?
Show the answer
John the Baptist, Jesus's cousin, baptized Him in the Jordan River.
What came down on Jesus at His baptism?
Show the answer
The Holy Spirit came down like a dove and rested on Him.
What did the voice from heaven say?
Show the answer
The Father's voice declared that Jesus is His beloved Son.
The lesson
The Father loves the Son. At the river, heaven spoke, and the Spirit came down, and the world heard who Jesus is.
