Humility: John
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In the Christian tradition, humility is a virtue that is highly esteemed and is often exemplified through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John provides profound insights into the nature of humility, particularly through the actions and words of Jesus.

Jesus as the Embodiment of Humility

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the ultimate example of humility. In John 13:1-17, Jesus performs the act of washing His disciples' feet, a task typically reserved for the lowest servant. This act is a powerful demonstration of humility and servanthood. Jesus says, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet" (John 13:14). Here, Jesus teaches that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others.

The Incarnation

John's Gospel begins with the profound theological statement of the Incarnation, where "the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). This act of God taking on human form is the ultimate expression of humility. Jesus, though fully divine, chose to live among humanity, experiencing human limitations and suffering. This self-emptying is a central theme in understanding humility as it reflects the willingness to lower oneself for the sake of others.

John the Baptist's Example

John the Baptist is another figure in the Gospel of John who exemplifies humility. Despite his significant role in preparing the way for Jesus, John the Baptist consistently points away from himself and towards Christ. He declares, "He must increase; I must decrease" (John 3:30). This statement captures the essence of humility, recognizing one's role in God's plan and willingly stepping aside to allow Christ to be glorified.

Jesus' Teaching on Humility

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility in the life of a believer. In John 12:24-26, Jesus uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat to illustrate the principle of dying to oneself to produce much fruit. He states, "Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25). This teaching emphasizes the need for self-denial and the prioritization of God's will over personal ambition.

The Humility of Christ's Sacrifice

The ultimate act of humility in the Gospel of John is found in the crucifixion of Jesus. In John 10:17-18, Jesus speaks of His authority to lay down His life and take it up again, highlighting His willing submission to the Father's plan. The crucifixion is the culmination of Jesus' humble obedience, as He sacrifices Himself for the salvation of humanity. This act of love and humility is central to the Christian faith and serves as the model for believers to follow.

In summary, the Gospel of John provides a rich tapestry of teachings and examples that highlight the virtue of humility. Through the life and ministry of Jesus, as well as the testimony of John the Baptist, believers are called to embrace humility as a foundational aspect of their faith journey.
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Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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Library

Of Abbot John's Humility and Our Question.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter II. Of Abbot John's humility and
our question. In this Coenobium then we found a very old ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ii of abbot johns.htm

Of Humility
... CHAPTER III. OF HUMILITY. Now understand this: we find in Christ, according
to His Godhead, two kinds of humility. The first kind ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iii of humility.htm

Christ was not Regenerated in the Baptism of John, but Submitted ...
... Chapter 49."Christ Was Not Regenerated in the Baptism of John, But Submitted to
It to Give Us an Example of Humility, Just as He Submitted to Death, Not as ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 49 christ was not regenerated.htm

How Humility is the Foundation of all Other virtues
... HOW HUMILITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL OTHER VIRTUES. Now ... foundation. Whosoever
therefore grounds his virtues in humility, he shall never err. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xii how humility is.htm

The Paschal Meal. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet.
... given all the things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth
unto God [Being about to narrate an act of loving humility, John prefaces it by ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxviii the paschal meal jesus.htm

The Conferences of John Cassian
... Chapter I. Of the Coenobium of Abbot Paul and the patience of a certain brother.
Chapter II. Of Abbot John's humility and our question. Chapter III. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the conferences of john cassian/

Humility.
... clothed with meekness and humility, and see what a contrast is your position before
God and man. One of the meekest characters in history was John the Baptist. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/humility.htm

John Chapter xiii. 10-15.
... John Chapter XIII. 10-15. ... We have learned, brethren, humility from the Highest; let
us, as humble, do to one another what He, the Highest, did in His humility. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lviii john chapter xiii.htm

John Chapter xvii. 1
... John Chapter XVII ... For in His passion our attention is directed more to His humility
than to His glory, in accordance with the testimony of the apostle, who says ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate civ john chapter xvii.htm

Of the Second Degree of Our Inward Exercise, which Increases ...
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XVII. OF THE SECOND DEGREE OF OUR INWARD EXERCISE,
WHICH INCREASES INWARDNESS BY HUMILITY. But, having likened ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xvii of the second.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about egotism / egoism? What is an egoist / egotist? | GotQuestions.org

What is the cause of church splits? How can healing occur after a church split? | GotQuestions.org

What does “blessed are the meek” mean? | GotQuestions.org

Humility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Humility

Humility is Before Honor

Humility: A Characteristic of Saints

Humility: Abraham

Humility: Afflictions Intended to Produce

Humility: Ahab

Humility: Blessedness of

Humility: Centurion

Humility: Christ an Example of

Humility: Cornelius

Humility: David

Humility: Elihu

Humility: Elisabeth

Humility: Elizabeth

Humility: Excellency of

Humility: Exemplified

Humility: General Scriptures Concerning

Humility: Gideon

Humility: Hezekiah

Humility: Isaiah

Humility: Jacob

Humility: Jeremiah

Humility: Job

Humility: John

Humility: John the Baptist

Humility: Joseph

Humility: Joshua

Humility: Josiah

Humility: Leads to Riches, Honor, and Life

Humility: Manasseh

Humility: Mephibosheth

Humility: Moses

Humility: Necessary to the Service of God

Humility: Paul

Humility: Peter

Humility: Saints should be Clothed With

Humility: Saints should Beware of False

Humility: Saints should Put On

Humility: Saints should Walk With

Humility: Temporal Judgments Averted By

Humility: The Who Have are Greatest in Christ's Kingdom

Humility: The Who Have: Delivered by God

Humility: The Who Have: Enjoy the Presence of God

Humility: The Who Have: Exalted by God

Humility: The Who Have: Heard by God

Humility: The Who Have: Lifted up by God

Humility: The Who Have: Receive More Grace

Humility: The Who Have: Regarded by God

Humility: The Who Have: Upheld by Honor

Humility: Want of, Condemned

Humility: Woman of Canaan

The Humility of Christ: Declared by Himself

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Associating With the Despised

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Becoming a Servant

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Birth

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Entry Into Jerusalem

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Exposing Himself to Reproach and Contempt

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Obedience

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Partaking of Our Infirmities

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Poverty

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Refusing Honors

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Station in Life

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Subjection to his Parents

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Ordinances

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Sufferings

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Taking Our Nature

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Washing his Disciples' Feet

The Humility of Christ: His Exaltation, the Result of

The Humility of Christ: On Account of, he Was Despised

The Humility of Christ: Saints should Imitate

Related Terms

Gentleness (17 Occurrences)

Feet (2931 Occurrences)

Washing (56 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Down (12601 Occurrences)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Victoriously (1 Occurrence)

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)

Vainly (4 Occurrences)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Urge (34 Occurrences)

Opposed (23 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Opposes (7 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Gird (44 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Will-worship (1 Occurrence)

Implanted (3 Occurrences)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)

Filth (21 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Feeling (59 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Trials (11 Occurrences)

Treatment (6 Occurrences)

Temptations (9 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Tolerance (2 Occurrences)

Tested (80 Occurrences)

Resist (23 Occurrences)

Resists (4 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Restraining (9 Occurrences)

Rigor (8 Occurrences)

Resisteth (3 Occurrences)

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)

Exists (18 Occurrences)

Downwards (2 Occurrences)

Devotion (17 Occurrences)

Dog (19 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Disqualify (1 Occurrence)

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Moral (5 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Malign (6 Occurrences)

Prostration

Puffed (13 Occurrences)

Promoting (2 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

Predestination

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Prize (13 Occurrences)

Humility: Job
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