The Baptism of Christ
John the Baptist Prepares the Way Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist preached in Judea and told people to repent because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
People came to John the Baptist from Jerusalem, Judea and the region of the River Jordan to confess their sins and be baptized.
He warned people of a man coming who was more powerful than him and who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John. John was confused and asked Jesus “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
John agreed to baptize Jesus.
After Jesus was baptized, he came out of the water and Heaven was open and the Spirit of God descended in the form of a dove upon him. A voice from Heaven said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
John Testifies About Jesus John 1:29-33
John saw Jesus coming toward him the next day and said “ Look at the Lamb of God, who takes the sin the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘a man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
John testifies to seeing the dove with Jesus.
John admits he did not know Jesus but was told of his coming.
The Importance of the Story
Jesus sets the example that everyone needs to be baptized to be cleansed from their original sins.
This story clearly portrays God claiming Jesus as his son.
Jesus being baptized showed he identified with sinners.

Moral/Theme of the Story
Baptism does not save a person, but it is a symbol of obedience and a willingness to follow Christ's example.
God’s love is unconditional for his Son and for his people, wanting to give them the opportunity to be baptized.
Cultural Allusion: The Matrix
In the beginning of the Matrix, Neo falls down the pipe into the water. The water he falls into represents the baptism because Neo is being brought