27 August | Teens
«When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.» Matthew 3: 16
Baptism is a very special stage in the life of every Christian. It is as if it were a spiritual bath that cleanses us of all sins, just as an ordinary bath cleanses us of the filth of our body. But then a question may arise: Why did Jesus, who never sinned, decide to be baptized? The answer is simple. Jesus was not baptized to wash away his sins, as we do. He was baptized to set an example for us, to show us how we should live our lives.
Imagine if your parents told you not to yell, but they yelled themselves all the time. It would be hard to obey, wouldn't it? But when someone shows us how to do something, it becomes much easier to understand and follow suit. Jesus did just that. He was baptized to show us that baptism is important, even for those who think they have not committed serious sins. He set us the perfect example. He taught us how to do it.
So, when you think about baptism, remember that Jesus not only gave us a symbol to follow, but He also gave us the example of all that we should do. He showed us how to do things the right way.
Take Action
Think of something you can do to set an example for others, just as Jesus did with baptism. It could be something simple, like being kind to someone or helping someone in need. Show people the right way, just as Jesus did.