Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: Humility of

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The humility of Jesus Christ is a profound and central theme in the New Testament, exemplifying His character and mission. This humility is not merely an aspect of His earthly life but is intrinsic to His divine nature and redemptive work.

Incarnation and Birth

The humility of Jesus is first evident in the Incarnation. The eternal Son of God, who existed in the form of God, chose to take on human flesh. Philippians 2:6-7 states, "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." This self-emptying, or kenosis, is a profound act of humility, as the Creator entered His creation, subjecting Himself to the limitations and frailties of human existence.

Jesus' birth further underscores His humility. Born in a manger in Bethlehem, He was not surrounded by earthly grandeur or royal splendor. Luke 2:7 records, "And she gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." His humble beginnings were a stark contrast to the expectations of a worldly king.

Life and Ministry

Throughout His life and ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated humility. He associated with the lowly and marginalized, often choosing the company of tax collectors, sinners, and the poor. In Matthew 11:29 , Jesus invites, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." His humility was not only in His actions but also in His teachings, as He instructed His followers to serve others selflessly.

Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet is a poignant example of His humility in action. In John 13:14-15 , He says, "So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you." This act of servitude was a powerful lesson in humility, as He, the Master, took on the role of a servant.

Suffering and Death

The ultimate expression of Jesus' humility is found in His suffering and death on the cross. Philippians 2:8 declares, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." The crucifixion, a form of execution reserved for the most despised criminals, was the culmination of His humble obedience to the Father's will.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' prayer reflects His submission and humility. Matthew 26:39 records His words, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." His willingness to endure the cross for the sake of humanity's redemption is the ultimate act of humility and love.

Resurrection and Exaltation

While Jesus' humility is most vividly displayed in His earthly life and sacrificial death, it is also evident in His resurrection and exaltation. Philippians 2:9-11 continues, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." His exaltation is a divine affirmation of His humble obedience and sacrificial love.

In summary, the humility of Jesus Christ is a foundational aspect of His identity and mission. From His incarnation to His exaltation, Jesus exemplified humility, providing a model for His followers to emulate in their own lives.

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Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on an ass, and on a colt the foal of an ass.
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Matthew 9:10
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
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Matthew 21:5
Tell you the daughter of Sion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
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Mark 2:14
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
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Luke 5:27,28
And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me.
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Luke 22:27
For whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves? is not he that sits at meat? but I am among you as he that serves.
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John 13:5,14
After that he pours water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
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Acts 8:32,33
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
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2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.
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2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
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Philippians 2:7,8
But made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
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Library

Christ's Humility Our Salvation.
... He has His mighty workings to bestow as gifts; but the fullness of the Holy Ghost
is this: Jesus Christ in His humility coming to dwell in us. ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/vii christs humility our salvation.htm

Of the Reasons Why Jesus Christ Appears to Each one of us Either ...
... Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter VI. Of the reasons why Jesus Christ appears
to each one of us either in His humility or in His glorified condition. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vi of the reasons.htm

In the Name of Jesus Christ Our Crucified Saviour
... TO THE GLORY AND PRAISE OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN ... one of the twelve Apostles, being reproved
by Christ, hanged himself ... a great example and cause of humility and fear ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter i in the name.htm

Christ as an Example of Humility.
... an example of humility. For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not of
those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre ...
/.../chapter xvi christ as an example.htm

Christ as an Example of Humility.
... an Example of Humility. For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not of
those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xvi christ as an example.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young
... CHRIST TEACHING HUMILITY. CHRIST AND THE LITTLE CHILDREN. ... THE TRANSFIGURATION OF
CHRIST. JESUS HEALETH A LUNATIC. LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/

Humility.
... or woman who is following closely the footsteps of the Master in meekness and in
humility. I believe that it is the hardest lesson which Jesus Christ had to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/humility.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... The Eleventh Chapter: Few Love the Cross of Jesus. ... The First Chapter: The Inward
Conversation of Christ with the ... We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/

Imitation of Christ
... Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus. ... CHAPTER I Of the inward voice
of Christ to the faithful ... words of God are to be heard with humility, and how ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

Prayer and Humility
... A true nobleness and greatness are in humility. It knows and reveres the inestimable
riches of the Cross, and the humiliations of Jesus Christ. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm