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Key passage
John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John Baptized Jesus (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1)
There is much we don’t know about the early life of Jesus. After Jesus’ trip
to the temple as a 12-year-old, we are told that He “increased in wisdom and
stature, and in favor with God and with people” (Luke 2:52). Luke’s Gospel
account then fast-forwards to the baptism of Jesus as an adult. This was an
important event in the life of the promised Messiah that is recorded in each
of the four Gospels.
At first glance, it may seem strange that Jesus would seek to be baptized
as even John seemed surprised by this request and tried to stop Jesus. After
all, Jesus never sinned and was not in need of God’s forgiveness. Yet, Jesus
was fully committed to doing the will of His heavenly Father, which included
baptism. Jesus’ baptism modeled how His followers are to publicly profess
their faith in Him. Jesus’ baptism would also be His next step in beginning
His earthly ministry. Indeed, the very next day, Jesus began calling disciples
to follow Him.
As Jesus went up from the water, we see a beautiful picture of the Trinity:
the heavens opened as the Son prayed, the Spirit descended upon Him, and
the Father declared Jesus the Son in whom He is well pleased. Jesus’ baptism
represents believers’ death to sin. Just as Christ died on the cross and was
raised, so, too, are His followers born again and raised up from the grave into
new life.
Family Discussion Questions:
- If Jesus never sinned, why was He baptized?
[Parent prompt] Remind kids that Jesus perfectly obeyed God and so did not need to repent of doing anything wrong. Explain that Jesus’ baptism was a picture that showed He would die in the place of sinners and then rise again.
- Is baptism for everyone?
[Parent prompt] Explain that baptism is an action that shows people how Jesus has changed someone’s heart through salvation. Share that anyone who has repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus as Lord can share about this decision with others through believer’s baptism.
- Does trusting in Jesus mean that we will obey Him perfectly?
[Parent prompt] Share that none of us are able to perfectly obey God; that’s why Jesus came! When we trust in Jesus, though we will still sin, God changes our desires so that we seek to be more like Jesus.
Christ Connection
- Babies & Toddlers: People are baptized to show they have turned from their sins to follow Jesus.
- Younger Preschool: Jesus never did anything wrong, but He was baptized like sinners are baptized. People are baptized to show they have turned from their sins to follow Jesus.
- Older Preschool: Jesus obeyed His Father by being baptized. Baptism reminds us that Jesus died and came back to life. People who turn from their sins and trust in Jesus should be baptized too.
- Kids: Jesus obeyed His Father by being baptized. Later in life, He obeyed His Father by dying on a cross for our sins and rising again, so that all who trust in Him will receive eternal life.
Check out The for this week’s bible story video, scripture song, morning and evening prayer times and family activities.(Content by Lifeway Christian Resources, link here, Used with permission.)
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