LESSON 12: Jesus Receives Baptism

Before Jesus began teaching, healing, and performing miracles, God sent someone very special to prepare the way. His name was John the Baptist. He was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was a strong and brave man who lived in the desert and wore clothes made of camel’s hair. John wasn’t afraid to speak the truth. His words were powerful—like arrows! They touched people’s hearts and helped them realize they needed to turn away from their sins.

Many people listened to John. They were sorry for the wrong things they had done. As a sign of their new life, they were baptized in the Jordan River—washed with water to show they wanted to follow God. One day, something amazing happened. Jesus came all the way from Galilee to the Jordan River. He walked right up to John and asked to be baptized. John was shocked! “Me? Baptize You?” he said. “You should be baptizing me!” But Jesus gently answered, “Let it be so now. It is the right thing to do.” Jesus wanted to show the world that He was ready to begin His work, and He was choosing to obey God in everything. So, John agreed—and he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.

As soon as Jesus came up from the water, something incredible happened. The heavens opened up! The Holy Spirit came down like a beautiful dove and rested on Jesus. Then a loud, loving voice came from heaven. It was God the Father, and He said: “This is My Son, whom I love. With Him, I am well pleased.” At that moment, all three persons of the Trinity were present:

• God the Father spoke from heaven.
• God the Son, Jesus, stood in the water.
• God the Holy Spirit came down like a dove.

This is why we call the baptism of Jesus the “Revealing of the Trinity”—God showing us who He is: One God in three persons. So, the baptism of Jesus was called Danaha Perunnal. Danaha means Rising.

What can we learn from this lesson?

Jesus never sinned. So why did He get baptized? Here are some special reasons: Jesus was showing us how to obey God. He was saying “yes” to God’s plan to save the world. By being baptized by John, Jesus honored John’s role as the last prophet before the New Testament.

This moment marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when He began teaching and helping people. We also believe that Jesus’ baptism blessed all the waters of the Earth. That’s why we use water in baptism today—because Jesus made it holy! Jesus’ baptism reminds us that our Christian journey also begins with baptism. It’s the first step in following Jesus and becoming part of God’s family. Jesus said in John 3:5: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Through baptism, we become children of God. It opens the door to heaven.