The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Taking Our Nature
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The humility of Christ is a profound theme woven throughout the New Testament, exemplified most vividly in His incarnation—His taking on human nature. This act of humility is central to understanding the character and mission of Jesus Christ, as it demonstrates His willingness to descend from divine glory to human frailty for the sake of humanity's redemption.

Scriptural Foundation

The Apostle Paul captures the essence of Christ's humility in Philippians 2:6-7 : "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." This passage highlights the voluntary nature of Christ's humility. Though He existed in the form of God, He chose not to cling to His divine privileges but instead emptied Himself, assuming the form of a servant.

The Incarnation

The incarnation is the ultimate expression of Christ's humility. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." Here, the eternal Word, who was with God and was God (John 1:1), took on human flesh. This act of becoming flesh signifies a profound condescension, as the Creator entered His creation, subjecting Himself to the limitations and sufferings of human existence.

Purpose and Implications

Christ's taking on human nature was not merely an act of identification with humanity but was essential for the fulfillment of His redemptive work. Hebrews 2:14-17 explains, "Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham. 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, to make atonement for the sins of the people."

By taking on human nature, Christ was able to fully represent humanity, offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice for sin. His humanity enabled Him to sympathize with human weaknesses, making Him a compassionate and understanding high priest.

The Model of Humility

Christ's humility in taking on human nature serves as a model for believers. In Philippians 2:5 , Paul exhorts, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Believers are called to emulate Christ's humility, adopting a mindset that prioritizes the needs of others above personal ambition or status.

Conclusion

The humility of Christ, as exhibited in His taking on human nature, is a cornerstone of Christian theology. It reveals the depth of God's love and the lengths to which He would go to redeem His creation. Through His incarnation, Christ not only accomplished the work of salvation but also provided a perfect example of humility for His followers to emulate.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Philippians 2:7
But made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 2:16
For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Philippians iii. 13, 14
... In Christ Jesus." See the humility of his mind; this I do, saith he, "in Christ
Jesus," for ... He became not dejected, through all he exhibited his noble mind ...
/.../homily xii philippians iii 13.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... to love and delight in God, as exhibited in his ... at least to abate men's prejudice,
than humility and meekness and ... If you believe that Christ is more worthy of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Humility, its tokens and blessing, [860]4; its origin, [861 ... 983]328; outlines and
symbols of, exhibited at the ... Kingdom of Christ, how delivered up to the Father ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Introduction
... conflicts, his magnanimity, tenderness, and humility, his all-absorbing ... of his heart,
are beautifully exhibited in his ... To labor for Christ was, as with Paul ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/introduction.htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... (3.) The wisdom of God, as exhibited in his Word ... (1.)Proof of this relation between
Christ and the church. Isa.54:5. Eph.5:25-32. ... 7. Humility. (1.) Its nature. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

Acts i. 1, 2
... men to be poor, [10] [11] and exhibited this by ... the Holy Ghost, but, "Ye shall be
baptized:" teaching us humility. ... in the Gospels also; even as Christ here in ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily i acts i 1.htm

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... and passions, the sorrows and the groans, the humility and poverty ... more shall by
the Judge be exhibited in sad ... the men of Nineveh, and all by Christ, their Judge ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in their visible ...
... those who escaped in the ark exhibited a sacramental ... suffered on behalf of the name
of Christ, and for ... works of mercy, conjoined with pious humility, meet with ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 27 of the prophecies of.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... of the present day, which is merely exhibited in evangelical ... am I of his notice!"
Be like Christ in his humility. ... text, but that, if ye are like Christ on earth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

Attributes of Love.
... and of Christ is more strikingly exhibited than this ... But humility, considered as
a virtue, consists in ... also most conspicuously manifested by Christ, in denying ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.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 Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Sufferings
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