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

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The humility of Christ is a profound theme woven throughout the New Testament, exemplified vividly in His station in life. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, chose to enter the world not as a king or a person of high status, but in the most humble of circumstances, reflecting His mission to serve and redeem humanity.

Birth and Early Life

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, not in a palace but in a manger, a feeding trough for animals, signifying His humble beginnings (Luke 2:7). His mother, Mary, and earthly father, Joseph, were ordinary people, not of noble or wealthy lineage. This humble birth fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2, which foretold that the ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant town.

Occupation and Social Status

Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town of little repute, as indicated by Nathanael's question, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46). He worked as a carpenter, a trade He learned from Joseph, which was considered a modest occupation. This choice of profession further demonstrated His identification with the common people and His rejection of worldly prestige.

Lifestyle and Ministry

Throughout His ministry, Jesus led a life devoid of material wealth and comfort. He stated, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20). This declaration underscores His voluntary poverty and His focus on spiritual rather than earthly riches.

Jesus' ministry was marked by His association with the marginalized and the outcasts of society. He dined with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10-11), healed the sick, and showed compassion to those whom society often overlooked. His actions were a testament to His humility and His mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Servant Leadership

In a striking demonstration of humility, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, an act typically reserved for the lowest servant. He explained, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet" (John 13:14). This act symbolized His servant leadership and set an example for His followers to emulate.

Rejection and Suffering

Despite His divine nature, Jesus endured rejection and suffering. Isaiah 53:3 prophesied that He would be "despised and rejected by men," a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. His humility was further exhibited in His willingness to endure the cross, a form of execution reserved for the most despised criminals. As Philippians 2:8 states, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

In His station in life, Jesus exemplified humility through His birth, occupation, lifestyle, ministry, and ultimate sacrifice. His life serves as a model for believers, calling them to live with humility, serve others, and prioritize spiritual over worldly values.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 9:29
We know that God spoke to Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from where he is.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... the time-serving religion of the present day, which is merely exhibited in evangelical ...
me, so unworthy am I of his notice!" Be like Christ in his humility. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... The courtier receives, with devout humility, the instructions of ... the doctrine of
Philip, and exhibited ocular demonstration ... to the miracles of Christ, and the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm

Education and Preparation.
... moral, unwearied in application, and exhibited marks of ... a cross on which to be crucified
with Christ. ... spite of Henry Martyn's beautiful humility, honor after ...
/.../education and preparation.htm

The Rival Empresses --Pulcheria and Eudocia
... Pulcheria early exhibited an earnest and almost manly intelligence. ... in keeping with
the spirit of Christian humility. ... by the footsteps of the Christ and the ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/x the rival empressespulcheria and.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... clearness, calmness, and self-possession, humility, dignity, and ... and are daily and
hourly exhibited in the ... The historical Christ meets and satisfies our ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... indeed, that his very countenance exhibited such marks ... glorying in the cross of Christ "
nor did ... was as much distinguished for his humility, his deadness to ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... of the cross of Christ." Yet the humility and affection ... and duties of Christianity,
so he exhibited them in ... with a spiritual father, who "in Christ Jesus had ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

Robert Nelson, his Friends, and Church Principles.
... of retiring habits and much personal humility, he was ... as no less a sacrifice
commemorative of Christ's oblation of ... example of Jeremy Taylor in his 'Holy Living ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter ii robert nelson his.htm

The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... Precepts of humility, self-denial, chastity, temperance, justice, love ... that the religion
of Jesus Christ, which, in ... The Heathens exhibited no portion of that ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... with industry, neatness, and plainness, he exhibited altogether the ... by the uniformity
of his piety, the humility of his ... in favor of the cause of Christ, in all ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm