Why was Jesus Baptized?

Why was Jesus Baptized?
By: Cloyd Uyson

Should Jesus who is God himself be baptized?

Baptism is generally a sacrament which cleanses us from our original sins. All the baptized are either soaked in a body of water such as a river or poured with a pitcher full of water as a symbol of purification. Now if every person who undergoes baptism is cleaned from their sinfulness particularly of the original which has been handed down from our first parents namely Adam and Eve, does it mean also that Jesus who was baptized has also an original sin or committed any particular sin before he was baptized?

The theology of baptism states that there is an exemption to this rule of the first among all the seven sacraments and it is Jesus himself. In all of humanity, it is only him and his mother Mary who was spared from original sin and never committed any single sin in their lifetime. Thus, they do not need the effects and cleansing power of baptism. The omnipotence of Jesus is something very essential and vital in order for someone to understand the implications of this cleansing sacrament.

God is all powerful yet He chose to be baptized by His cousin Saint John the Baptist at the river Jordan in order to show to the rest of humanity that they need to follow his deed of being humble to ask from God to be cleansed from our sinfulness. This is something that we must be very thankful with because God in all of his humility showed us the way to restore back our broken relationship with God the Father. The cleansing power of this important sacrament makes us children of God and heirs of heaven. It is indeed a treasure that we must be proud of for as long as we live. Jesus is such a noble God who showed everything by witnessing.