For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
A brave preacher named John gets people ready for Jesus — and then something amazing happens when Jesus comes to the river.
Today's Story
Out in the desert lived a man named John. He wore clothes made of camel hair and ate locusts and wild honey. God gave him a big job: to get people ready for Jesus.
John preached, “Turn back to God! Get your hearts ready, because Someone greater is coming!” Crowds came from everywhere. They were sorry for the wrong things they had done, and John baptized them in the Jordan River — a sign that their hearts were being washed clean to start fresh with God.
“I baptize you with water,” John said. “But Someone is coming who is far greater than me — so great that I'm not even good enough to carry His sandals!”
Then one day, Jesus Himself came to the river and asked John to baptize Him. John could hardly believe it. “I should be baptized by YOU!” he said. But Jesus said it was the right thing to do.
So John baptized Jesus. And as Jesus came up out of the water, heaven opened! The Holy Spirit came down like a gentle dove and rested on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, and I love Him. I am very pleased with Him.”
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- John's special job was getting people ready for Jesus. How can we help get people's hearts ready for Jesus today?
- When Jesus was baptized, God said, “This is my Son, and I love Him.” How does it feel to know God loves you as His child?
- John said he wasn't even good enough to carry Jesus' sandals. Why do you think John talked about Jesus that way?