Three Years in 30 Days: Jesus' Life and MissionSample

Jesus' baptism

“And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:17 ESV)

John was a cousin of Jesus who prepared the people for Jesus' coming (Matthew 3:1-11). John's ministry was foretold by the prophets in Israel (Isaiah 40:3) and his birth was also announced by an angel (Luke 1:11-18). In preparation for Jesus' coming, John called on his fellow countrymen to turn their lives and hearts back to God. People who wanted to change their lives were baptized by John; he immersed them in the waters of the Jordan River. This immersion symbolized that the old life with all its sins was “drowned.” The baptized person then emerged from the water as a new person before God. Jesus was also baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). Jesus was not baptized because He had sinned against God, but because He let Himself be completely immersed in our humanity. The words from Matthew 3:17 can also be translated as: “This is the Son Whom I love dearly, He rejoices My heart.” Jesus' baptism was the start of His ministry on earth.

This event is important because God showed that Jesus was connected to Him and sent by Him (Isaiah 40:3).

Read Matthew 3:17 again and think about it for a few minutes.

• What does Jesus' dedication mean to you?