Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Humble

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The humility of Jesus Christ is a central aspect of His character, profoundly influencing His life and ministry. This humility is evident in His incarnation, His interactions with others, and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

Incarnation and Birth

The humility of Christ is first demonstrated in His incarnation. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:6-7 , "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." Jesus, though fully divine, chose to take on human flesh and be born in the most humble of circumstances—a manger in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7). This act of becoming human, while retaining His divine nature, underscores His willingness to lower Himself for the sake of humanity.

Ministry and Teachings

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated humility in His interactions with others. He associated with those whom society often marginalized, including 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 is not only a personal attribute but also a model for His followers to emulate.

Jesus' teachings further reflect His humble character. In the Beatitudes, He blesses the "poor in spirit" and the "meek" (Matthew 5:3, 5), highlighting the value He places on humility. He also instructs His disciples on the importance of servanthood, saying, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).

Servant Leadership

Christ's humility is perhaps most vividly illustrated in the act of washing His disciples' feet. In John 13:14-15 , Jesus 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 service, typically performed by the lowest of servants, exemplifies His teaching that true leadership is found in serving others.

Sacrifice and Obedience

The ultimate expression of Christ's humility is found in His obedience to the Father, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. Philippians 2:8 states, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." This selfless act of love and obedience was undertaken for the redemption of humanity, demonstrating the depth of His humility.

Exaltation

In response to His humility, God exalted Christ. Philippians 2:9-11 declares, "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." This exaltation underscores the biblical principle that humility precedes honor (Proverbs 15:33).

The humility of Christ is a profound and defining characteristic, shaping His mission and providing a perfect example for believers to follow. His life and teachings continue to inspire and challenge Christians to live humbly before God and others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Philippians 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Character of Christ's People
... can recognise them by their distinct, unvarying character"they are ... are not of the
world; even as Christ is not ... need of much grace to keep him humble in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the character of christs people.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... He had no pride; he was an humble man, a friend of publicans and sinners, living
and ... There is a wondrous power about the character of Christ, for the more ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... will not take confidence from God's character or Christ's work, but from their own
character and work ... devotions, that they may, with some humble hope, as ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

The Call by the Sea
... They were humble and unlearned men, those fishers of Galilee ... their bigotry they scorned
to be taught by Christ. ... to have imparted to them the character of Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 25 the call by.htm

His Public Life.
... There is another striking distinction of a general character, between Christ and
the ... imposing arena of secular heroism, but within the humble circle of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his public life.htm

Transformed by Grace
... to the beauty of the character of Christ; and often, as he listened to the Saviour's
words, conviction came to him, but he would not humble his heart or ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 55 transformed by grace.htm

The Christ of the Gospels.
... if his neighbors, his friends, his fellow-citizens, were humble in their ... of any
uninspired man, can ever worthily reproduce the character of Jesus Christ. ...
/.../the christ of the gospels 2.htm

Introductory.
... hand into his side, before they exclaim, in humble adoration: "My ... once could see
the great moral miracle of Christ's person and character, they would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/introductory.htm

Pecaut.
... "To what hight does the character of Jesus Christ rise above the most sublime and
and yet ever ... And yet no one ever was so gentle, so humble and kind, as he. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/f pecaut.htm

The Unitarian Theory.
... In his admirable discourse on the "Character of Christ ... pure and holy, and withal
so humble and lowly ... Dr. Channing freely and emphatically asserts Christ to have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/i the unitarian theory.htm