Jesus’ Baptism Story Summary

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Bible Story: Jesus’ Baptism

Bible Text: Matthew 3:13-17

Story Truth(s):

• Jesus obeyed, which pleased God.
• Baptism is a picture of burial (death) and resurrection.
• Jesus set an example for all believers by being baptized. Jesus obeyed, which pleased God.

Story: John was a prophet God called to announce the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah and Savior. John was baptizing people. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” John told them. Many ventured into the wilderness to confess their sins and be baptized by John. When they did, John told them that the baptism he offered wasn’t enough to save, but that “He who is coming after me is mightier than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John encouraged the people to look to the coming Savior for salvation.

The people gathered on one particular day. John began to tell them about their need for a Savior. He waded into the water to invite those who wanted to be baptized to come. Then the crowd parted, and Jesus came to be baptized!

At first, John was so humbled he said, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” But Jesus insisted. Even though Jesus did not need to repent because He never sinned, His baptism showed that Jesus would take the punishment for our sin. So John baptized Jesus.

As He came up out of the water, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Oh, how those words must have blessed Jesus. His Father loved Him! His Father was pleased with Him! How He must have treasured those words in the difficult days that followed.

All who stood at the edge of the water that day were amazed by the baptism of Jesus. Even John, who had been telling the people Jesus was coming, was awed. The baptism of Jesus set the example for all His followers. Baptism is still a picture of our spiritual death and resurrection. So today, followers of Christ continue to be baptized.

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