Greetings Sunday school families, 

This week in Sunday school our children will hear about Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan by his cousin John.  

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ ¹⁵But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. ¹⁶And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ (Matthew 3) 

Two comments from our curriculum caught my attention this week: “Evident at Jesus’ baptism is an ironic tension that remains constant throughout his entire earthly ministry.  Jesus’ uniqueness is known in and shouted from the heavens – a higher authority, there is not! – but his own baptism and ministry are characterized by a consistent and conscious submission to those for whom he is bringing the gospel.”  From “Exegetical Perspective” by Troy A. Miller

 “In Matthew’s text, the baptism of Jesus is the beginning of his ministry.  It is his launching.  It is his commissioning to begin the public ministry for which he was created and to which he was called.”  From “Pastoral Perspective” by Rodger Y Nishioka

 Our baptism represents a beginning in our lives as well, the beginning of all which lies ahead of us.  Reflecting on our baptism reminds us of our own humility and humanity within the world.  To prepare your children for Sunday school this week, take a few minutes to tell them the story of their baptism and share with them what you know of your own.  These personal stories will enrich your children’s understanding of Jesus’ baptism and begin to help them understand the meaning of their own baptism as their faith unfolds.

–Kim Canning