When Jesus was grown, he knew it was time to begin the work God had given him to do. Before teaching crowds or healing the sick, Jesus went to the Jordan River. People were coming to John, Jesus’ cousin, to be baptized as a way to turn their hearts back to God and begin again.

Jesus stepped into the water where John was baptizing. John was surprised because he knew Jesus was special. But Jesus asked John to baptize him anyway. When Jesus came up out of the water, something amazing happened. The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

Before Jesus healed anyone, taught crowds, or performed miracles, God reminded him who he was—beloved. This story shows us that baptism is about belonging. God spoke love over Jesus, and God speaks that same love over us.

What We Learned

• Jesus chose baptism to begin the work God called him to do.
• God named Jesus beloved before he did anything else.
• Baptism reminds us that we belong to God.
• God’s love comes first, even before we do anything special.