Jesus gets baptized
(From the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, verses 4-11)
When Jesus first began his work, his cousin John lived in the wilderness outside of Jerusalem. John was baptizing people in the Jordan River. (This is why he is called "John the Baptist.")
John looked pretty scruffy. He wore animal skins for clothes. He ate whatever he could find. His hair was not combed and he really needed a bath.
But John didn't care how he looked or smelled. He wanted everyone to know that God was going to do something very important. And so, day after day, he stood out in the wilderness and talked to anyone who would listen.
"God's kingdom is near and things are going to be really different!" John shouted. "Turn your life around! If you feel like you've drifted away from God, turn around and come back! If you feel like you're not living the way God wants you to, make a change!"
Some people listened to John. They decided to get baptized. They believed that being washed in the Jordan River would help them get a fresh start in life.
John baptized many people. "I am baptizing you with water," he told them. "But someone who is coming after me will baptize you with God's Holy Spirit. Watch for him! Once he comes, everything is going to feel different!"
One day, while John was busy baptizing people, Jesus showed up.
"Cousin, I want you to baptize me," Jesus told him.
John was surprised. He knew that Jesus was very special to God. "Are you kidding?" he said to Jesus. "You should be baptizing me!"
But Jesus told him, "Please do it. God is trying to make things right in the world and my baptism is part of that."
So John agreed. He led Jesus out into the middle of the river. Jesus closed his eyes and John poured water over his head again and again. Jesus was completely soaked.
As Jesus began to get out of the river, something amazing happened: he saw God's Spirit come out of the sky. It looked like a dove flying right at him. Then Jesus heard a voice say, "You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased."
Questions to think about:
How do you think John knew that God's kingdom was near?
How do you know that God's kingdom is near?
Have you ever felt like you were far away from God? What did you do to get closer to God?
Are you baptized? What do you know about your baptism?
What is your favorite part about a baptism service?
What do you think happens when someone is baptized?