Jesus begins his healing ministry

By Laurie Toupin

When Jesus grew up, he worked as a carpenter, the way his father, Joseph, had taught him. He would have seemed like an ordinary man living an ordinary life and participating in all the Jewish customs. But all the time, Jesus was growing in his understanding of God. Jesus always knew that he must be about God's "business" (Luke 2:49). And he listened to God so he could hear what that meant—whether it was to be an obedient and devoted son, an honest and good wood-worker, or later, a teacher of God's word.

One day Jesus heard that his cousin, John the Baptist, was preaching and baptizing. John's words rang true with Jesus, and he decided to get baptized by John, too.

As Jesus stood in line on the shore of the Jordan River, he patiently waited and watched the people before him walk into the water to be baptized. When it was his turn, and Jesus stepped into the river, John looked at him with surprise. Even though they knew each other, John saw Jesus with fresh eyes. That day, he immediately recognized Jesus as the Saviour, the one John had been preaching about to anyone who would listen.

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