Session 4: Jesus is baptised

Matthew 3

When Jesus was around 30 years old, he was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Do you remember who John the Baptist is?

Let's watch a video on John:

Video: Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist

Source: Crossroad Kids Club on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM

Discuss

What was John’s mission?

His mission was to prepare the way for Jesus. He taught people to repent, to prepare for the coming Messiah. They had to soften their hearts so that they would be ready to receive the message that Jesus would bring. He baptised them as a sign of their repentance.

Do you know what it means to repent? How do we do it?

Repentance is about (1) being sorry from your heart; and (2) changing your actions. Just saying sorry is not repentance. Our actions must also show what's in our heart.

John told people they had to stop their sinful ways, and start living the way God wanted them to.

Why do you think Jesus asked John to baptise him? After all, as John said, he was not fit to untie the sandals of Jesus. Jesus was also without sin. Why did he ask to be baptised?

Jesus comes to show us how to live and be in communion with God. In being baptised by John, Jesus identifies himself with those whose sins he will later bear on the cross. He is also submitting to his Father and showing himself to be the good and obedient Son who does God’s will perfectly. His baptism marks the start of his mission and demonstrates his giving his will up to the father and dedication to his public ministry.

What does baptism mean for us today? How is it different from John's baptism?

John baptises with water for repentance, while Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism washes sins away. Today, because of Jesus, our baptism not only washes all sins away (including original sin), we are transformed into a child of God, and given new life in the Holy Spirit.