This Is My Son: The ABC of Seeing Who Jesus Really Is

Learning Our ABC’s

Do you remember learning?

How?

Song?

Video: Sesame Street - Alphabet Song | 1:00

Today - learning ABC’s of who Jesus is

Ask for six volunteers

“A” - Arrived

Jesus’ journey on earth began with his birth - just celebrated.

Epiphany - remember wise mean who arrived and worshipped him.

Jesus grew up for baby > boy > man.

Now Jesus has arrived at point on his journey where he has come to Jordan to be baptised by cousin, John the Baptist.

Volunteers form Letter A.

John preached that people should turn away from their sins and turn to God to be forgiven.

That they should prove they had turned away from their sins by the way they lived.

He warned everyone to prepare for the arrival of someone who was coming soon who was greater than he was.

That person was Jesus and now, at last, he has arrived.

“B - Baptised

Volunteers form Letter B.

Can you imagine the conversation between Jesus and John by the Jordan?

John didn’t want to baptise Jesus because baptism was a sign of repentance - turning away from your sins - and John knew Jesus was God, and that he had never done anything wrong, so he didn’t need to be baptised.

Come off it Cuz, you don’t need me to baptise you, we all know I’m the one who needs to be baptised by you!

This is so embarrassing!

But John, you should do it. Because God wants it done.

Jesus was determined to show what should be done, and insisted John should baptise him.

Jesus identifies himself publicly with the sinners he had come to save.

There is a hint that the symbol of being “washed clean” by baptism may have been to demonstrate how Jesus would take on the sins of the world on himself and be punished instead of us when he died on the cross.

Jesus probably went into the river, John either poured water on him, or Jesus may have gone fully under the water as in the video, as a sign of his baptism.

But dramatic moment:

Matthew 3:16 NCV

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven opened, and he saw God’s Spirit coming down on him like a dove.

That must have been amazing!

“C” - Chosen

Two volunteers form Letter C.

Invite congregation in 2’s or 3’s - discuss what they think Jesus was chosen by God to do.

Get feedback.

Matthew 3:17 NCV

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him.”

Echoes:

Isaiah 42:1 NCV

“Here is my servant, the one I support. He is the one I chose, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to all nations.

This prophecy was fulfilled at Jesus’s baptism.

He will bring justice to the nations.

God the Father was delighted his Song, in obedience, had come to fulfil his plan for the world.

Acts 10:37–38 NLT

You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit’s power.

His baptism proves he truly was the Son of God.

ABC - Arrived, Baptised, Chosen

ABC is usually the beginning of our learning - how to read, write, make sense of the world.

Many of the things we can do today are as a result of learning our ABCs.

Jesus arrived at the River Jordan, he was baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit, and he went on to do the work he was chosen to do.

ABC is the beginning of the alphabet.

Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his earthly ministry, and the fulfilment of God’s plan for his people.

We take the opportunity at the beginning of the year to thank Jesus for being willing to come to earth, that he is with us by his Holy Spirit, and that he has chosen to use us in ministry and service.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for being willing to come to earth for all people. Thank you that you stepped into our world, close enough to touch, and kind enough to save.

Father, thank you that we have arrived at this day in our lives. Thank you for bringing us here, for keeping us, and for giving us what we need for today.

Thank you for the times you helped us when things were tough. We pause now and remember your help, your strength, and your comfort. Bring to mind the moments you carried us when we could not carry ourselves.

Pause.

Thank you, too, for the good times. Thank you for happy memories, for laughter, for love, for friendship, and for the gifts you have given us along the way.

Jesus, we think about your humility. You were sinless, yet you chose to be baptised. You stood with ordinary people, and you showed us the way of obedience.

Holy Spirit, thank you that the Father sent you to empower Jesus for his work. Thank you that you still empower your people today. Thank you for baptising us in the Holy Spirit, and for the promises you have spoken over our lives.

Thank you, Lord, that you are with us. Thank you that your Holy Spirit lives in us. When we feel weak, remind us that you are near. When we feel unsure, remind us that you are faithful.

Father, we remember that Jesus went on from baptism to a life of love, truth, and sacrifice. Thank you for all he has done for us, and all he is still doing today.

Thank you for the ways you have used us, even in small and quiet ways. Thank you for every act of kindness, every word of witness, every prayer prayed, every person served, and every step of obedience.

And now, Lord, please choose us again for your purposes. Lead us into the good works you have prepared for us. Give us courage, wisdom, and a willing heart. Help us do things for you in the days ahead - at home, at work, in our neighbourhood, with our friends and family, and in the life of our corps and church.

We offer you this day, this coming week, and beyond. We belong to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.