Jesus Is Baptized

John the Baptist was preaching near the Jordan River. He told people to turn away from sin and get ready for God's kingdom. Many people came to the water to be baptized as a sign that they were sorry for sin and wanted to walk in God's way.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John was surprised. Jesus had never sinned, so He did not need to be baptized because He needed forgiveness. John said that Jesus should be baptizing him!

But Jesus told John that it was right to do this to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus was doing exactly what was right in God's plan. He was obeying the Father's good plan. He was standing with the people He came to save, even though He Himself was perfectly holy.

When Jesus was baptized and came up from the water, the heavens opened. The Holy Spirit came down like a dove and rested on Him. Then the Father's voice spoke from heaven: 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'

Jesus' baptism shows us who He is: the beloved Son of God. It also helps us understand baptism. Baptism is not magic water that saves us. Jesus saves. Baptism is a public step of obedience that shows we trust Jesus, belong to Him, and want to follow Him with our whole life.