Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Patient

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The patience of Christ is a profound aspect of His character, exemplifying His enduring love and steadfastness in the face of trials, suffering, and human frailty. This attribute is woven throughout the Gospels and the New Testament, offering believers a model of divine patience to emulate.

Patience in Suffering

Christ's patience is most vividly displayed in His suffering and crucifixion. Despite the agony of the cross, He remained composed and forgiving. In Luke 23:34 , Jesus says, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." This statement reflects His patient endurance and willingness to forgive those who wronged Him, even in the midst of His own suffering.

Patience with His Disciples

Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated patience with His disciples, who often struggled to understand His teachings and mission. In Mark 9:19 , Jesus responds to their lack of faith, saying, "O unbelieving generation, how long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you?" Despite His frustration, He continued to teach and guide them patiently, knowing their weaknesses and limitations.

Patience in Teaching

Jesus' parables and teachings often required patience, as He explained profound truths to those who were slow to understand. In John 16:12 , He tells His disciples, "I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it." This patience in teaching reflects His understanding of human limitations and His willingness to wait for the right time to reveal deeper truths.

Patience with Humanity

Christ's patience extends beyond His immediate followers to all of humanity. In 2 Peter 3:9 , it is written, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." This passage highlights His desire for all to come to salvation, demonstrating His long-suffering nature and willingness to wait for humanity to turn to Him.

Patience as a Model for Believers

The patience of Christ serves as a model for believers, who are called to exhibit the same patience in their own lives. In Colossians 3:12 , Paul exhorts, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This call to patience is a reflection of Christ's own character, encouraging believers to mirror His enduring love and forbearance.

Patience in the Face of Rejection

Jesus faced rejection and opposition throughout His ministry, yet He responded with patience and grace. In Matthew 23:37 , He laments over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling." His lament reveals a deep, patient longing for reconciliation, even with those who rejected Him.

The character of Christ as patient is a testament to His divine love and commitment to humanity. His patience is not passive but active, marked by a steadfast endurance and a desire for all to come to the knowledge of truth. Through His example, believers are encouraged to cultivate patience in their own lives, reflecting the enduring love of Christ to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:14
And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor marveled greatly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

LMAC Coxe. Divine Beauty of Christ's Character.
... III. JESUS CHRIST. 124. LMAC Coxe. Divine Beauty of Christ's Character. ... O,
who like thee did ever go So patient through a world of woe? ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/124 l m a c.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... Christ will neither despise, nor so bring down His hand ... foolish, selfish disciples
of His; how patient the divine ... of His meaning and catching of His character. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm

The Book of Christ
... of Christ as the revealer of the character of God. ... that we have before us the exalted
Christ ideal, and ... perfection, and that God would be patient with their ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter v the book of.htm

Our Attitude Toward Destructive Criticism.
... "Be patient toward all men. ... criticism, sometimes called historical, or constructive,
we must not fail to discover its bearing on the character of Christ. ...
/.../i our attitude toward destructive.htm

Harmony of all Graces and virtues in Christ.
... and yet the most conservative, calm, and patient, of all ... These are indeed opposite
traits of character, yet as ... men indeed, but united in Christ, the universal ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/harmony of all graces and.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... He himself took our infirmities and bare our sorrows. He was himself the patient,
himself the medicine. ... No man can read the character of Christ with any ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christperfect through sufferings.htm

Pecaut.
... "To what hight does the character of Jesus ... form when describing it in a manner worthy
of the object: Jesus Christ has been humble and patient; holy, holy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/f pecaut.htm

On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop.
... II."On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop. ... Let him he patient and gentle in
his admonitions, well ... 2611] for our Lord and Teacher Jesus Christ, the Son ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the character and.htm

Repentance
... Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire ... us, but"O wondrous love!"God
in Christ is "reconciling ... No earthly parent could be as patient with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... Was he patient? ... Look at him. There is a wondrous power about the character of Christ,
for the more you regard it the more you will be conformed to it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm