The Kingdom Revealed

When the time came for Jesus to put his rescue plan in motion, He got a special introduction from a man in camel-hair clothes. God had chosen Jesus’ cousin, John, to go before Him and prepare the path ahead. John could certainly draw a crowd, but he knew his job was to point others to Jesus. John had a message for the people: turn away from sin and seek forgiveness from God. But he didn’t stop there—John didn’t just have a message to deliver, he had a Savior to introduce. When Jesus arrived, John declared, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). God’s people had strayed far from Him, cast out of the garden and into the wilderness; in order to bring them back, God sent John wandering in from the wilderness, telling people they could come home in Christ.

Even though God was faithful to send His messenger ahead of Jesus to proclaim His arrival (just as He had promised He would), the people didn’t have to take John’s word for it. As John ushered in the start of Jesus’ ministry by baptizing Him, God Himself announced out loud that Jesus was His beloved Son while the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. Here, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit declared together that the long-awaited time of salvation had come. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).

Connect with Kids   

• Why was John calling on people to confess their sin? (Because in order to be found by God, He first asks us to admit that we’ve wandered away from Him.)   
• At Jesus’ baptism, what was so special about the voice from heaven and the dove? (This is one of the places in the Bible where we see the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us God is three persons in one.)   
• When John spoke to lost people, he had the privilege of pointing to Jesus and saying, “Look who’s here!” How can we join John in pointing to the Savior? (Parents, talk with your children about the people in your life with whom you have the privilege of sharing the good news of Jesus.)

Further Reflection

Though Jesus was without sin, He chose to receive John’s “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” What is so significant about this picture of a sinless Savior identifying with fallen sinners?

Prayer Point

Spend some time confessing sin and asking God to help you turn from it. Then, praise God that forgiveness is available in Christ.