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

Bible > Topical > The Humility of Christ

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

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The humility of Christ is a profound theme woven throughout the New Testament, exemplified in His willingness to expose Himself to reproach and contempt. This aspect of His humility is a testament to His obedience to the Father and His love for humanity, serving as a model for believers to emulate.

Scriptural Basis

1. Philippians 2:7-8: "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."
In this passage, the Apostle Paul highlights the depth of Christ's humility. By taking on human form and submitting to the most humiliating form of execution, Christ willingly subjected Himself to the ultimate reproach and contempt.

2. Isaiah 53:3: "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not."
The prophetic words of Isaiah foretell the rejection and scorn that Christ would endure. Despite His divine nature, He was treated with disdain, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant.

3. Matthew 27:28-31: "They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And they twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and put a staff in His right hand. Then they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They spat on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly."
The mockery and physical abuse Christ suffered at the hands of Roman soldiers illustrate the extent of His exposure to contempt. Despite possessing the power to stop His tormentors, He chose to endure their scorn.

4. Hebrews 12:2: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
This verse emphasizes that Christ's endurance of the cross, with all its shame, was motivated by the joy of fulfilling God's redemptive plan. His willingness to bear such reproach underscores His humility and commitment to His mission.

Theological Implications

The humility of Christ, as demonstrated through His exposure to reproach and contempt, is central to understanding His incarnation and atoning work. By willingly subjecting Himself to such treatment, Christ not only fulfilled Old Testament prophecies but also provided a perfect example of humility and obedience for His followers. His actions challenge believers to embrace humility, even in the face of scorn, and to trust in God's greater purpose.

Practical Application

Believers are called to follow Christ's example of humility by embracing servanthood and enduring reproach for the sake of the Gospel. As Christ did not retaliate or seek to defend Himself against contempt, Christians are encouraged to respond to criticism and mockery with grace and patience, trusting in God's justice and ultimate vindication.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 22:6
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 69:9
For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen on me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 15:3
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 53:3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Colossians iii. 17
... only as an "example of his great humility." The Collect ... ultimate end rather than
a mean, is exhibited in the ... or the Trinity, and incarnation of Christ, if they ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... with industry, neatness, and plainness, he exhibited altogether the ... the uniformity
of his piety, the humility of his ... a preacher of the gospel of Christ, as a ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... may swear falsely, is alien from the faith of Christ and from ... does against me; but
I will produce him and his writings as witnesses against himself, so that ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /