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

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The humility of Christ is a profound theme woven throughout the New Testament, illustrating the depth of His love and the extent of His sacrifice for humanity. One of the most poignant aspects of His humility is His willingness to partake in our infirmities, fully embracing the human condition with all its frailties and limitations.

Incarnation and Identification with Humanity

The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of His humility. By taking on human flesh, Jesus did not merely appear as a man but fully embraced the human experience. The Apostle John writes, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). This act of becoming flesh signifies Christ's willingness to identify with humanity in its entirety, including its weaknesses and sufferings.

Bearing Our Infirmities

The prophet Isaiah foretold the Messiah's role in bearing the burdens of humanity: "Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4). This prophecy underscores the reality that Christ did not distance Himself from human suffering but rather entered into it. In the Gospels, we see Jesus healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and ultimately taking upon Himself the weight of human sin and suffering.

Sympathy and Compassion

Christ's partaking of our infirmities is also evident in His deep sympathy and compassion for those He encountered. The author of Hebrews emphasizes this aspect of Christ's ministry: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). This passage highlights that Jesus experienced the full range of human temptation and suffering, yet remained sinless, providing a perfect example of humility and obedience.

Voluntary Submission

The humility of Christ is further exemplified in His voluntary submission to the limitations of human life. Philippians 2:7-8 states, "He 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" . This self-emptying, or kenosis, reflects Christ's willingness to set aside His divine privileges and endure the ultimate humiliation of crucifixion for the sake of humanity.

Empathy Through Experience

By partaking in our infirmities, Christ not only provided a means of salvation but also established a profound empathy with the human condition. His experiences of hunger, fatigue, sorrow, and pain enable Him to be a compassionate and understanding intercessor. As Hebrews 2:17-18 explains, "For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" .

In summary, the humility of Christ is vividly displayed in His willingness to partake of our infirmities. Through His incarnation, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice, He not only provided redemption but also demonstrated an unparalleled empathy and compassion for humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
... appeal to his divine rights as exhibited in the ... likewise indicates a spiritual
resurrection, for Christ exercised a ... it as a reward of humility"Philippians 2:8 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvii jesus heals on the.htm

section second.
... servant-form, in its full extent as exhibited above ... mean such as are wanting in that
humility, which must ... reached the maturity of manhood in Christ; should such ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

Analysis of the Westminster Confession.
... and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and ... Lord's table, the body and
blood of Christ is not ... and offered, but also truly exhibited and communicated ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 95 analysis of the.htm

The Westminster Confession of Faith. AD 1647.
... and admiration of God; [1014] and of humility, diligence, and ... the gospel, when Christ
the substance [1161] was exhibited, the ordinances ... Of Christ the Mediator ...
/.../the westminster confession of faith.htm

Dialogue iii. --The Impassible.
... of the archetype is very distinctly exhibited by the ... after being made man was called
Christ, I hold ... the flesh, a change having preceded His undergoing death ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue iii the impassible.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... is to make us familiar with those types exhibited in the ... a servant as he is employed
by Christ in his ... reverence and godly fear; and with all humility let us ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... which, during the French Revolution, was exhibited as a ... and been exhorted to reverence
and humility, joined the ... the grace of God, in Jesus Christ; an outline ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm