John had been preaching: ‘Someone greater than I am is coming.’ When Jesus was about 30 years old, he came from Galilee to the Jordan River, where John was baptizing people. Jesus wanted John to baptize him, but John said: ‘I should not baptize you. You should baptize me.’ Jesus told John: ‘Jehovah wants you to baptize me.’ So they went into the Jordan River, and John dipped Jesus completely under the water.

After Jesus came up from the water, he prayed. At that moment, the heavens opened up, and God’s spirit came down on him like a dove. Then Jehovah spoke from heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.”

When Jehovah’s spirit came on Jesus, he became the Christ, or Messiah. Now he would start the work that Jehovah had sent him to earth to do.

Immediately after his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness and spent 40 days there. When he returned, he went to see John. As Jesus came toward him, John said: ‘This is the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world.’ By saying this, John let the people know that Jesus was the Messiah. Do you know what happened to Jesus while he was in the wilderness? Let’s find out.

After Jesus was baptized, the holy spirit led him into the wilderness. He did not eat anything for 40 days, and he got very hungry. Then the Devil came to tempt Jesus and said to him: ‘If you are really God’s Son, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But Jesus answered by quoting the Scriptures: ‘It is written that you need more than food to live. You need to listen to every word that Jehovah says.’

Next, the Devil challenged Jesus: ‘If you are really God’s Son, jump off the highest point of the temple. It is written that God will send his angels to catch you.’ But Jesus again quoted the Scriptures: ‘It is written that you should not put Jehovah to the test.’

Then, Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their riches and glory and said: ‘I will give you all of these kingdoms and their glory if you worship me just once.’ But Jesus answered: ‘Go away, Satan! It is written that you should worship only Jehovah.’

Then the Devil went away, and angels came and gave Jesus food to eat. From then on, Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom. It was the work that he was sent to earth to do. People loved what Jesus taught them, and they followed him everywhere he went.