The Baptism of Jesus

Introduction: Behold the Lamb of God 1 When Pontius Pilate became governor of Judea, the word of God came to a man named John. John began

preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, EVERY VALLEY WILL BE FILLED, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW; THE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH ROADS WILL BECOME SMOOTH; AND ALL PEOPLES WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'" So John began saying to the crowds who were coming to be baptized by him, "You brood of

serpents, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Do not say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "Then what shall we do?" And he would answer

and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise." And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we

do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than what you have been ordered to." Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said

to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages." The people were waiting expectantly and wondering in their hearts if John the Baptist might possibly be the Christ. John answered them saying, “I baptize you with water but one more powerful than I will come. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent him, Mt.

saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so for now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented and the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus in the form of a dove and a voice came from heaven, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and cried out, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes Jn.

away the sin of the world!"