Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Harmless

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The character of Christ as "harmless" is a profound aspect of His nature, reflecting His purity, innocence, and perfect moral integrity. The term "harmless" in the context of Christ denotes His blamelessness and the absence of malice or wrongdoing in His actions and intentions. This characteristic is essential to understanding the sinless nature of Jesus and His role as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins.

The New Testament provides insight into this aspect of Christ's character. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author describes Jesus as a high priest who is "holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26). The word "innocent" here is often translated as "harmless" in other versions, emphasizing His purity and the absence of any harmful intent or action.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus exemplified this harmless nature. He consistently acted with compassion, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and offering forgiveness to sinners. His interactions with others were marked by gentleness and love, even when He was confronted with hostility and opposition. In Matthew 11:29 , Jesus invites His followers to "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." This invitation highlights His gentle and harmless nature, offering rest and peace to those who come to Him.

The Apostle Peter also speaks to the harmless nature of Christ in his first epistle, urging believers to follow in Christ's footsteps: "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). This passage underscores the sinlessness of Jesus, affirming that He lived a life free from deceit and wrongdoing, embodying the essence of being harmless.

Moreover, the harmless nature of Christ is evident in His response to suffering and persecution. Despite being falsely accused and unjustly condemned, Jesus did not retaliate or seek revenge. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, demonstrating a profound trust in divine justice. As Isaiah prophesied about the suffering servant, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). This prophecy, fulfilled in Christ, illustrates His willingness to endure suffering without responding in kind, further highlighting His harmless character.

In His teachings, Jesus also encouraged His followers to adopt a similar harmless disposition. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). By promoting peace and reconciliation, Jesus called His disciples to live in a manner that reflects His own harmless nature.

The character of Christ as harmless is integral to His mission of redemption. As the spotless Lamb of God, He was uniquely qualified to bear the sins of the world. His sinlessness and harmlessness made Him the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the law and providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 7:26
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christianity a Light.
... Paul, in exhorting Christians to a holy life, said: "That ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the ... Character Of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

Julian the Apostate.
... religion of the Bible and the character of Christ ... deny the miracles of Jesus Christ,
but allows ... arguments against it are perfectly harmless, and insufficient ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/julian the apostate.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... In character, we should have needed just such traits of ... say to every unconverted
man, Christ is adapted ... us, free from sin, holy, harmless, undefiled: qualified ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christperfect through sufferings.htm

His Freedom from Sin.
... single stain or the slightest shadow on his moral character. There never lived a
more harmless being on earth ... can be thought of in connection with Jesus Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his freedom from sin.htm

In Christ and in Ephesus
... that people need as a change of heart and of character. ... we can be saints and faithful
in Christ Jesus ... 15 says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-four in christ and.htm

Christ's Sheep
... as it were, of his eternal life and character, then every verse in ... however lonely,
still, if you are one of Christ's sheep, if you are harmless and teachable ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon v christs sheep.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... we look through the entire biography of Christ for a single stain, or the slightest
shadow, on his moral character. There never lived a more harmless being on ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

The Coming of the King to his Palace
... to His kingdom, and of the unchristian character of war ... Unless we know Christ to
be the Saviour of our ... in its vindication, as convenient and harmless, and it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the coming of the king.htm

Christ's Charge to his Heralds
... midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves ... Christ
first enjoins discretion and discrimination of character, so far ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs charge to his heralds.htm

The Transfiguration
... our Lord's crucifixion, for instance, how easy, natural, harmless, right, as ... Spirit
of Christ, soberly, humbly, modestly, copying the character of Christ. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon iii the transfiguration.htm