The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus
January 13, 2013
Luke 3:15-17, 21, 22
Prop: Your church's baptismal font, filled with water

Good morning, boys and girls!  (Show the font.)  If you have ever seen this before, please raise your hand.  This is called the baptismal font.  Font.  That's a funny word, isn't it?  We don't hear it very often.  It means receptacle, or container.  Let's all say it together, OK?  Font.

A receptacle, or font, usually contains something in it.  The baptismal font holds water, and we use it when we baptize people.  If you were baptised in this church, then this font was used during your baptism!

Jesus was baptised just before he started his teaching ministry.  The font that was used when Jesus was baptised was not a small receptacle--he was baptised in the Jordan River!  And the person who baptized Jesus was his cousin, John.

Before Jesus was baptized, people wondered if maybe John was the Messiah God had promised.  But John was quick to set the record straight.  He told the people, "I baptize with water, as a symbol, but one who is more powerful than I is coming.  I am not worthy to untie his sandals!  He will baptize you with the real thing--God's Holy Spirit."

Jesus went to his cousin John at the Jordan River and asked to be baptized.  John lowered Jesus into the water and said a prayer.  The Bible tells us that then heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit came down like a dove.  And a voice came from God, saying, "You are my son, the Beloved; with you I am very happy."

With that, Jesus was ready to begin his ministry.

Let's Pray:  Dear God, We thank-you for faithful people like John, and like Jesus.  Help us to be faithful, too.  In Jesus' name, Amen.