The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Subjection to his Parents
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The humility of Christ is a profound theme woven throughout the narrative of the Gospels, and one of the earliest and most poignant demonstrations of this humility is His subjection to His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. This aspect of Christ's humility is not only a testament to His character but also serves as a model for believers in their own familial and social relationships.

Biblical Account

The Gospel of Luke provides a detailed account of Jesus' early life, highlighting His submission to His parents. After the incident in the temple, where the young Jesus was found discussing with the teachers, the narrative continues: "Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was subject to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51). This passage underscores Jesus' willing obedience and respect towards His parents, despite His divine nature and wisdom that astonished even the learned men of the temple.

Theological Significance

Christ's subjection to His parents is a profound expression of His humility. Although He is the Son of God, possessing all authority and knowledge, He chose to live in obedience to His earthly parents. This act of submission is a reflection of His incarnation, where He "made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7). By submitting to His parents, Jesus exemplified the perfect fulfillment of the Law, honoring His father and mother as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12).

Implications for Believers

For believers, Christ's humility in His subjection to His parents serves as a powerful example of how to live in obedience and respect within the family structure. It calls Christians to honor their parents and authority figures, recognizing that such submission is not a sign of weakness but of strength and godliness. The humility of Christ challenges believers to adopt a posture of servanthood, valuing others above themselves and seeking to fulfill God's commandments in their daily lives.

Christ's Example in Context

In the cultural and historical context of first-century Judea, family structures were patriarchal, and children were expected to obey their parents. Jesus' adherence to this cultural norm, despite His divine identity, further emphasizes His humility and willingness to fully participate in the human experience. His life in Nazareth, marked by obedience and growth in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), illustrates the importance of humility and submission as foundational virtues in the Christian life.

In summary, the humility of Christ, as exhibited in His subjection to His parents, is a profound testament to His character and mission. It serves as a model for believers, calling them to live lives marked by obedience, respect, and humility in their relationships with others.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 2:51
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That in Adam's Sin an Evil Will Preceded the Evil Act.
... And therefore it is that humility is specially recommended to the ... in this world,
and is specially exhibited in the ... of God, and in the person of Christ its King ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 that in adams sin.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... was no ground of faith to afford a lodging to the Teacher of humility; for in Christ's
discipleship the man sought not Christ's grace, but his own glory ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... too who has put the yoke of Christ upon his ... training of the desert, who have exhibited
the spectacle of ... and these will teach you, one humility, another patience ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... of his own [1700] single person, is exhibited as present ... to heal by the example of
His own humility that great ... grace, who for the Name of Christ practise an ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

Luther -- the Method and Fruits of Justification
... the benefits of Christ are given and exhibited; which he ... Wherefore, if ye be dead
with Christ from the ... of wisdom in will-worship and humility, and neglecting ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/luther the method and.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Both feelings are productive of humility and abasement, and hence ... Christ strips this
abuse of every vain pretext when ... For he who in his life exhibited a model ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded.
... continually." [1208] Here he plainly teaches us that the Lord Christ is archetype ...
Eran."Then, since Holy Scripture has not mentioned his parents, can he be ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue ii the unconfounded.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... but they may more largely be exhibited in these ... for fighting; neither did any of
Christ's disciples, save ... certainly shows less meekness and humility upon their ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

V. ...
... in a self-chosen spirituality and humility, and spare ... now, are alike to Him, for
His control extends ... of the sense which I have exhibited: Christ has ascended ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... Certainly the moral phenomena exhibited by very young children accord with ... that holy
spirit which was in Jesus Christ, in virtue of which his will was ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about humility? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to humble yourself? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ego? | GotQuestions.org

Humility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
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

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The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

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Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

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24000 (10 Occurrences)

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Knop (4 Occurrences)

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Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

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Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

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