When Jesus arrived, he asked me to baptize him. I was surprised, because he was greater
than I was. I should have been baptized by him! But he said that it was important that I
baptize him to begin his ministry. So I did. But as I did it, something marvelous
happened. A dove came down from the heavens, and landed right on Jesus’ shoulder!
Then the voice of God said that this was God’s own Son, and that God was very pleased
with him! Imagine it: the Son of God, right there before me! I knew then that all I had
been doing was preparing for this moment. Jesus was soon to be revealed to Israel and to
the whole world as the Messiah – the long-awaited savior of the world. The water with
which Jesus was baptized was a sign to me, a way that God showed me who Jesus was.
Even today, two thousand years later, water is still used as a sign to show God’s love for
us all. In the water of our own baptisms, we can still know that we belong to God, who
has called us by name, and that God is well pleased with us!
Discussion:
Together, say today’s Bible verse:
Mt. 3:16 – “And when Jesús had been baptized, as he came up from the water...a
voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well
pleased.’”
If time permits, talk with the children about the story. You may want to ask leading
questions such as:
Have you ever seen anyone baptized? What does the pastor put on the person’s
head?
What does the pastor say when he/she puts the water on the person’s head?
Have any of you read the Harry Potter books, or seen the movie? What does
Harry have on his forehead? (a mark which protects him from the evil one; the
mark itself is not the source of his power, it is just a reminder that he is protected
by his parent’s love) Explain that baptism is like an invisible mark. The mark
itself is not the source of our blessing, it is just a reminder that we are blessed by
God who loves us.
Rev. 1/06