Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Benevolent

Bible > Topical > Character of Christ

◄ Character of Christ: Benevolent ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The benevolence of Christ is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting His divine nature and His mission to reveal the love of God to humanity. The term "benevolent" refers to the quality of being well-meaning and kindly, and in the context of Christ, it encompasses His compassion, mercy, and selfless love for all people.

Compassion for the Needy

One of the most vivid demonstrations of Christ's benevolence is His compassion for the needy and the marginalized. In Matthew 9:36 , it is written, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This passage highlights Christ's deep empathy and concern for those who are suffering, both physically and spiritually.

Healing the Sick

Christ's benevolence is also evident in His healing ministry. He healed countless individuals, demonstrating His power and willingness to restore health and wholeness. In Matthew 14:14 , it states, "When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick." His acts of healing were not only physical but also spiritual, offering forgiveness and new life.

Feeding the Hungry

The feeding of the five thousand is another testament to Christ's benevolent character. In this miracle, Jesus provides for the physical needs of the crowd, illustrating His care for their well-being. Mark 6:41-42 recounts, "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people, and He divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied."

Teaching and Guidance

Christ's benevolence extends to His role as a teacher and guide. He imparted wisdom and truth to His followers, offering guidance for righteous living. In Matthew 11:28-30 , Jesus invites, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." His teachings provide spiritual nourishment and rest for the soul.

Sacrificial Love

The ultimate expression of Christ's benevolence is His sacrificial love, culminating in His death on the cross. John 15:13 declares, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Christ's willingness to suffer and die for the sins of humanity is the pinnacle of His benevolent character, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.

Intercession and Advocacy

Even after His resurrection and ascension, Christ's benevolence continues through His intercession for believers. Hebrews 7:25 affirms, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." His ongoing advocacy ensures that His followers are continually supported and upheld before the Father.

In summary, the benevolence of Christ is a multifaceted aspect of His character, encompassing His compassion, healing, provision, teaching, sacrificial love, and intercession. Through these actions, Christ reveals the heart of God and invites all to experience His boundless love and grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 4:23,24
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Julian the Apostate.
... miracles; and these miracles, having all the highest moral and benevolent character,
are an argument for the purity and divine mission of Christ's person. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/julian the apostate.htm

Restorationists.
... of the Deity; that God, being infinitely benevolent, must have ... They contend that
the mission of Christ is abortive ... secure to the Almighty a character worthy of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/restorationists.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... into wine was an innocent and benevolent wedding joke ... charged on the twilight, not
upon Christ; the daughter ... sense, have contrived to paint a character, and to ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Resignation
... of the lonely garden and the weeping Christ-we, too ... resignation of Jesus; a trait
in his character which, like ... is the eternal rule, not a benevolent and holy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/resignation.htm

The Sermon on the Mount
... consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active,
benevolent spirit, the ... The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 31 the sermon on.htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... God is essentially benevolent.1 John 4:8. (1.) How the benevolence of God is
exhibited to us by the light of reason. ... III. CHARACTER OF CHRIST. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... stray beyond the creditor to their benevolent substitute ... after such a manifestation
of his character as a ... So, likewise, in relation to the sufferings of Christ. ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

Christ
... He was a beneficent man. Multitudes of men are benevolent, but not beneficent. ... There
is only one way in which the character of Jesus Christ can be saved on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

An Appeal to Sinners
... would at once become the very character whom Christ ... are not sinners, would come to
Christ, Christ would get ... The benevolent man may distribute all his wealth to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/an appeal to sinners.htm

'According To' --I.
... notion of sovereignty, but always the notion of a benevolent sovereignty. ... perfect
exponent to man of the divine heart and character; and that Christ is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/according toi.htm