When Jesus was about 30 years old, God sent John the Baptist (Jesus’ cousin) to preach and call the people of Judah to repent of their sins and be baptized, to prepare their hearts for the arrival of His Son.

John lived in the wilderness and dressed in clothing made of camel’s hair. He preached by the Jordan River.

People were seeking forgiveness from God, so John baptized them in the river, as a sign of spiritual cleansing.

One day Jesus came to be baptized by John. When Jesus came up out of the water, God’s voice spoke from heaven saying, “This is My Son, and I love Him,” and the Holy Spirit descended from heaven like a dove and rested on Jesus.

You can read the full story in Luke 3:1–22, John 1:19–34, Mark 1:1–11, or Matthew 3:1–17.