Topical Bible: Servants: Christ Condescended to the office of

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In the New Testament, the concept of servanthood is profoundly exemplified in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of divine condescension, where the Son of God took on human form and embraced the role of a servant. This act of humility is central to understanding the nature of Christ's mission and His relationship with humanity.

Philippians 2:5-7 provides a foundational text for this theme: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 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." . Here, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the voluntary nature of Christ's humility. Though He existed in the form of God, He chose to relinquish His divine privileges and assume the role of a servant.

The Gospel of Mark further illustrates this servanthood in Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." . This verse encapsulates the essence of Christ's mission on earth. His life was characterized by service to others, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of His life for the redemption of humanity.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus provides a tangible example of servanthood during the Last Supper. John 13:3-5 recounts how Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, rose from supper, laid aside His garments, took a towel, and began to wash the disciples' feet. This act of washing feet, a task typically reserved for the lowest of servants, underscores the depth of Christ's humility and His call for His followers to emulate His example of service.

The prophetic anticipation of the Messiah as a servant is also evident in the Old Testament. The "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, particularly Isaiah 53, portray the coming Messiah as a suffering servant who would bear the iniquities of many. This prophetic vision is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who, through His suffering and death, accomplished the work of salvation.

Christ's servanthood is not merely an example for believers to follow but is integral to His redemptive work. By taking on the form of a servant, He identified with the lowly and the oppressed, offering hope and salvation to all. His servanthood is a model of selfless love and sacrifice, calling His followers to a life of humility and service in His name.

In summary, the condescension of Christ to the office of a servant is a profound mystery and a central tenet of Christian faith. It reveals the heart of God and sets the standard for Christian conduct, urging believers to live lives marked by humility, service, and love for others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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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
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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Philippians 2:7
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

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... 1] also caused this mocker of His servants to stumble ... 3] says he, "a man in Christ
fourteen years ... an undertaking, the King of kings condescended to encourage ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... him in the garden of Eden, and condescended to enter ... his mercy, and hath sent forth
his servants unto the ... told what you ought to think concerning Jesus Christ. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

The Introduction to the Work with Some General Account of Its ...
... Happy, are we ready to say, were those honored servants of Christ, who, in ... and blessed
be his name, there still are those whom he has condescended to make ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter i the introduction to.htm

Fundamental Oneness of the Dispensations.
... Moses was greater than all the other servants of God ... old covenant finds its true
and highest realisation in Christ. ... Even the Creator condescended thus to rest. ...
/.../chapter iii fundamental oneness of.htm

The Rise of the Hierarchy Connected with the Spread of Heresies.
... in the Church, and even the proud Pope Damasus condescended to cultivate ... saying to
the Philippians-'Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter vi the rise of.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... them, meekly instructed the ignorant, and condescended to the ... Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus ... enemies of the cross of Christ." Yet the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

part viii.
... But the faithful servants of our Saviour, and the ... Only-Begotten Son our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom to ... swaying this world, it at times condescended to make ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part viii.htm

Epistle Lxviii. To Florentius Pupianus, on Calumniators.
... how much more does it behove His servants to observe ... and among other things which
He condescended to show ... of judgment, before the tribunal of Christ, both will ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxviii to florentius pupianus.htm

Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity.
... making an obscene sport for its servants, sparing neither ... Let the aid of Christ be
appropriated, according to ... camp; for God alone, who has condescended to make ...
/.../of the discipline and advantage.htm

Miscellaneous.
... Servants are goers as well as comers: take heed that ... Holy Ghost, that he had sold
Christ, that he ... At length critics condescended to inquire where the secret of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxix miscellaneous.htm