1. Jesus is baptised by John (Matthew 3:13-17)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus is baptized to be an example to his followers. We are baptized as a public example that we are a follower of Jesus. Baptism is a way to publicly tell others we are a follower of Christ. Being led under water and then raised back up again is like acting out Jesus’ death and resurrection. Baptism is a symbol (a visual example) of the new life we receive when we accept Christ as our saviour. It is one way we publicly share that we need Jesus to cleanse or forgive us of our sins. Children should strive to be daily examples of Christ’s love to others at home, at school or in the neighbourhood. Connect this story to the Lenten season by emphasizing our need to be buried with Christ—or in more kid-friendly language, to become less so He can be more in our lives. Baptism is not only a public profession of faith but also our acknowledgment that we need Jesus to cleanse our sins. Related Memory Verse: Those baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. (Galatians 3:27) Related verse – Colossians 2:12: Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
2. Feeding of the five thousand John 6:1-14:
After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Jesus performed many miracles during his ministry to show God’s love and power.
Although the ultimate purpose for Jesus coming to earth was to take away our sins so we could be closer to God, as he spent time with people, he also taught them how to live and love and access the power of God in their everyday lives. By interacting with people through teaching, miracles, and healing, Jesus opened his heart to others allowing them to open their hearts to him. Jesus wants to be in relationship with us. He wants us to know him and love him as much as he knows and loves us. Connect this story to the Lenten season by sharing that this is only one miraculous moment during the life of Christ that shows us that Jesus is the Son of God and is worthy of our devotion during this Lent and Easter season and every single day of the year. Related Memory Verse: By believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31) But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
3. Jesus sends out the twelve Matthew 10:1-4:
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Jesus chooses and sends out his 12 apostles to continue to share the good news of God’s love and power. The word apostle comes from the Greek word originally meaning, “messenger.” These twelve men were Jesus’ disciples or followers during his ministry. He asks these trusted men to go and teach others about him. Jesus wanted them to spread the good news of his love and to heal the sick and help the hurting in His name. Children, Jesus asks us to do the same today. We are his messengers when we share his love with others. God has great plans for each one of us to be his messengers. When we grow in friendship with him, we will begin to better understand his plans for us. Related verse – Matthew 28:19-20: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Dear Children, Archbishop Adewale Martins’ daily reflections as well as these stories and verses will guide you and your families toward the Cross. Don’t fail to observe Lent daily until Holy Saturday.
• Source: www.whatisinthebible.com
