The Boyhood of Jesus
Jesus at 12 Years Old in the Temple
The Baptism of Jesus
The Temptation of Jesus
LESSON 12: Jesus is baptized by John
MEMORY VERSE: Luke 2:40 -- "And Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him." STORY: There was a man named John. His father was Zacharias. His mother was Elizabeth. We first learned about him when he was born, and the special events that happened at that time. Now John was a grown man. He was a preacher, who had a special job. God had given John this special job -- to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. John stood on the banks of the Jordan River to do his preaching. Many people would come to him to hear him preach. He was different. He wore simple clothes, made of camel's hair, and a leather belt. He ate food that he could find in the desert -- locusts and wild honey. He had a rugged spirit and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Many came to him to hear his words, and John was getting their hearts ready to hear the words of Jesus and to accept Him. One day, as John preached by the river Jordan, he looked up and saw Jesus coming toward him. John said, "Look, here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Jesus came to John and said, "John, I have come for you to baptize me." John couldn't believe it. Jesus was greater than he. Jesus had done no wrong to be washed away by baptism. John felt he should be baptized by Jesus. But Jesus said, "It must be done God's way. I must do what is right and be an example for all people to follow." John took Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, and they went down into the Jordan River. John baptized the Son of God. When Jesus was coming up out of the water, something wonderful happened. The heavens opened, the Spirit of God came down in the shape of a dove, and it hovered or floated over Jesus head. And then a voice spoke, "This is My Beloved Son. I am very pleased with Him. Hear His words." It was the voice of God, His Father. He was so pleased with Jesus because Jesus was willing to do all He needed to do to save His people from their sin.Jesus came up out of the river water, and walked away. It was time for Him to begin to do God's work, and He needed some time alone with God. |
QUESTIONS TO KNOW:
l. What was John's special job? 2. Who came to see John one day? 3. Why was Jesus baptized? 4. What happened after Jesus was baptized? |