In a large country, a man named John was wandering. John was a special man. He wore clothes made of camel hair and ate wild honey and locusts. John told people about God and told them that they should change their hearts and be good because God loves them.
One day Jesus came to John. Jesus wanted to be baptized by John in the river. John was surprised and said, “Jesus, I should be baptized by you, and you come to me?” But Jesus answered, “It is important that we do this so that everything is right.”
So John baptized Jesus in the river. And when Jesus came out of the water, something very miraculous happened: the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God came down like a dove and remained on Jesus. Then a voice was heard from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I have great joy.”
All the people there experienced how special Jesus was and that God loved him very much.
Message of history
God loves Jesus in a special way. And because God also loves us, he is happy when we follow him.
Bible passage
The story of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist is found in Matthew 3:13-17.
Matthew 3:13-17 (Schlachter 2000):
“At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But John rebuked him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Let it be so now.” For thus it behooves us to fulfill all justice. So he left him. And when Jesus was baptized, he immediately came out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And behold, a voice [kam] from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'”
