In the old Testament, the prophet Isaiah said that before the Messiah began his work among the people of Israel, there would be a man who would announce His coming and make a path for Him on Earth.
John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin, and he fulfilled this prophecy. He lived in the wilderness, but people came out from Jerusalem and other cities to hear his sermons and to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. When some people started to say that he was the Messiah, he disagreed immediately. John told the people that he was only making way for the One to come.
Jesus was a young man when he, too, went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. John knew immediately who Jesus was, and said he wasn't worthy to baptize him. Jesus insisted, and so John baptized him.
As John lifted Jesus out of the water the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, came down and sat on Jesus' shoulder. Those in attendance heard a voice from the heavens say, "This is my beloved Son, of whom I am well pleased."
John the Baptist continued his work, preaching to all who would listen about the presence of Christ among them. For Jesus, his public baptism marked the beginning of his ministry here on Earth.
