What kind of Man was our Lord Jesus Christ? What are some of His Characteristics?
1. His Humility and Meekness.
definition: It is the quality or state of being humble; modest opinion of one's own importance or rank; meekness; a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride; [The Free dictionary].
2Co 10:1 But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-forgetfulness of Christ--I who when among you have not an imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly outspoken in dealing with you.
gentleness πρᾳότης praotēs Thayer Definition: 1) gentleness, mildness, meekness
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ - In view of the meekness and mildness of the Redeemer; or desiring to imitate his gentleness and kindness. Paul wished to imitate that. He did not wish to have occasion for severity. He desired at all times to imitate, and to exhibit the gentle feelings of the Saviour. He had no pleasure in severity; and he did not desire to exhibit it.
There is no way we can display this Christlike characteristic without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness,[meekness], self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
1Pe 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps,
1Pe 2:22 who did not commit sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth,
1Pe 2:23 who when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when suffering, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly,
Leaving us an example - The apostle does not say that this was the only object for which Christ suffered, but that it was an object, and an important one. The word rendered “example” (ὑπογραμμὸν hupogrammon) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means properly “a writing copy,” such as is set for children; or an outline or sketch for a painter to fill up; and then, in general, an example, a pattern for imitation.
That ye should follow his steps - That we should follow him, as if we trod exactly along behind him, and should place our feet precisely where his were. The meaning is, that there should be the closest imitation or resemblance. The things in which we are to imitate him are specified in the following verses.
Php 2:5 Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus.
Php 2:6 Although from the beginning He had the nature of God He did not reckon His equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped.
Php 2:7 Nay, He stripped Himself of His glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men.
Php 2:8 And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross.
Php 2:9 It is in consequence of this that God has also so highly exalted Him, and has conferred on Him the Name which is supreme above every other,
KJV But made himself of no reputation - Barnes says, “This translation by no means conveys the sense of the original. According to this it would seem that he consented to be without distinction or honor among people; or that he was willing to be despised or disregarded. The Greek is ἑαυτον ἐκένωσεν heauton ekenōsen. The word κενόω kenoō means literally, to empty, “to make empty, to make vain or void.” It is rendered: “made void” in Rom_4:14; “made of none effect,” 1Co_1:17; “make void,” 1Co_9:15; “should be vain,” 2Co_9:3. The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, except in the passage before us. The essential idea is that of bringing to emptiness, vanity, or nothingness; and, hence, it is applied to a case where one lays aside his rank and dignity, and becomes in respect to that as nothing; that is, he assumes a more humble rank and station. In regard to its meaning here, we may remark:
(1) that it cannot mean that he literally divested himself of his divine nature and perfections, for that was impossible. He could not cease to be omnipotent, and omnipresent, and most holy, and true, and good.
(2) it is conceivable that he might have laid aside, for a time, the symbols or the manifestation of his glory, or that the outward expressions of his majesty in heaven might have been withdrawn. It is conceivable for a divine being to intermit the exercise of his almighty power, since it cannot be supposed that God is always exerting his power to the utmost. And in like manner there might be for a time a laying aside or intermitting of these manifestations or symbols, which were expressive of the divine glory and perfections. Yet,
(3) this supposes no change in the divine nature, or in the essential glory of the divine perfections. When the sun is obscured by a cloud, or in an eclipse, there is no real change of its glory, nor are his beams extinguished, nor is the sun himself in any measure changed. His luster is only for a time obscured. So it might have been in regard to the manifestation of the glory of the Son of God. Of course there is much in regard to this which is obscure, but the language of the apostle undoubtedly implies more than that he took an humble place, or that he demeaned himself in an humble manner. In regard to the actual change respecting his manifestations in heaven, or the withdrawing of the symbols of his glory there, the Scriptures are nearly silent, and conjecture is useless - perhaps improper. The language before us fairly implies that he laid aside that which was expressive of his being divine - that glory which is involved in the phrase “being in the form of God” - and took upon himself another form and manifestation in the condition of a servant.
Php 2:8 And being recognized as truly human, He humbled Himself and even stooped to die; yes, to die on a cross.
And being found KJV - That is, being such, or existing as a man, he humbled himself.
In fashion as a man - The word rendered “fashion” - σχῆμα schēma - means figure, mien, deportment. Here it is the same as state, or condition. The sense is, that when he was reduced to this condition he humbled himself, and obeyed even unto death. He took upon himself all the attributes of a man. He assumed all the innocent infirmities of our nature. He appeared as other people do, was subjected to the necessity of food and clothing, like others, and was made liable to suffering, as other men are. It was still he who had been in the “form of God” who thus appeared; and, though his divine glory had been for a time laid aside, yet it was not extinguished or lost.
To humble oneself ταπεινόω tapeinoō Thayer Definition:
1) to make low, bring low
1a) to level, reduce to a plain
1b) metaphorically to bring into a humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances
1b1) to assign a lower rank or place to
1b2) to abase
1b3) to be ranked below others who are honoured or rewarded
1b4) to humble or abase myself by humble living
1c) to lower, depress
1c1) of one’s soul bring down one’s pride
1c2) to have a modest opinion of one’s self
1c3) to behave in an unassuming manner
1c4) devoid of all haughtiness
Application:
1. Christ is our example of a person who humbled Himself.
He laid aside all His Heavenly honour and glory and lived as a simple village carpenter.
Ira Stanphill ©1952 Song: A Crown of Thorns
New Spring
There was no crown for Him of silver or of gold
There was no diadem for Him to hold.
But blood adorned His brow,
And proud its stain He bore,
And sinners gave to Him the crown He wore.
CHORUS
A rugged cross became His throne
His kingdom was in hearts alone
He wrote His love in crimson red
And wore the thorns upon His head.
He did not reign upon a throne of ivory
But died upon the cross of Calvary.
For sinners there He counted all He owned but loss
And He surveyed His kingdom from a cross.
No purple robe He wore,
His bleeding wounds to hide
But stripes upon His back He wore with pride.
And from the wounds there flowed a crimson,
cleansing stream
That was a cover for the soul unclean
Characteristic No.2. He had a COMPASSIONATE nature.
Mat 9:35 And Jesus continued His circuits through all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity.
Mat 9:36 And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd.
Adam Clark says, “Moved with compassion KJV - Εσπλαγχνισθη, from σπλαγχνον, a bowel. The Jews esteemed the bowels to be the seat of sympathy and the tender passions, and so applied the organ to the sense.
Επλαγχνιζομαι signifies, says Mintert, “to be moved with pity from the very inmost bowels. It is an emphatic word, signifying a vehement affection of commiseration, by which the bowels and especially the heart is moved.”
They fainted - Instead of εκλελυμενοι, fainted, all the best MSS., versions, and fathers, read εσκυλμενοι, grieved and melancholy. Kypke says σκυλλειν properly signifies, to pluck off the hair, as persons do in extreme sorrow or distress. The margin says, They were tired and lay down.
Barnes “ Mar_6:34 says he was moved with compassion because they were as sheep having no shepherd. A shepherd is one who takes care of a flock. It was his duty to feed it; to defend it from wolves and other wild beasts; to take care of the young and feeble; to lead it by green pastures and still waters, Psa_23:1-6.
In Eastern countries this was a principal employment of the inhabitants. When Christ says the people were as sheep without a shepherd, he means that they had no teachers and guides who cared for them and took pains to instruct them. The scribes and Pharisees were haughty and proud, and cared little for the common people; and when they did attempt to teach them, they led them astray. They therefore came in great multitudes to him who preached the gospel to the poor Mat_11:5, and who was thus the good shepherd, Joh_10:14.
Mat 14:13 When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there in a boat for a deserted place privately. But when the crowds heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
Mat 14:14 And coming out, Jesus saw a large crowd, and He was moved with compassion towards them, and healed their sick.
Notes Jesus was moved with compassion and healed their sick.
There is a deep relationship between compassion and pity and the healing of sick bodies.
PEOPLE WITH A HEALING MINISTRY :They see someone suffering and they pity them, are filled with empathy and do something about it. Jesus Laid His hands on the sick and healed them He touched the lepers and they were cleansed of their leprosy. To have a successful Medical Practice one needs compassion for those who are suffering and a willingness to get in their shoes and bring them through it.
In Matt 14:15 He had compassion on the hungry 5000 and did no send them away hungry but fed them by a Miracle of five small loaves and two fish.
Characteristic No. 3. The Love of our Lord Jesus Christ
Mar_10:21 Then Jesus, beholding him,[the Rich Young Ruler] loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.
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| Jesus and the Rich young Ruler |
Barnes Notes Jesus beholding him, loved him - What occurred afterward showed that the young man did not love the Saviour, or was not a true disciple; so that this expression denotes simply natural affection, or means that Jesus was pleased with his amiableness, his morality, and his “external” regard for the law of God. At the same time, this was entirely consistent with deep sorrow that he would not give his heart to God, and with deep abhorrence of such a love of the world as to blind the mind to the beauty of true religion, and to lead to the rejection of the Messiah and the destruction of the soul.
…18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as His dear children.
Eph 5:2 And live and act lovingly, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up to death on our behalf as an offering and sacrifice to God, yielding a fragrant odor.
As Christ also hath loved us - We are to evince the same love for one another which he has done for us. He showed his love by giving himself to die for us, and we should evince similar love to one another; 1Jo_3:16.
Characteristic No.4 Our Lord Jesus Christ is HOLY : sacred, Set apart, separated from sin unto God,
a) God is HOLY:
“There is none who does good, no, not one.” (Ps 14:3)
“Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are Holy.” (Rev 15:4)
b) Our Lord Jesus Christ is HOLY:
“That Holy one who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35)
“You denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.” (Acts 3:14)
“Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,...” (Heb 7:26)
“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.” (1 Pet 2:22)
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true” (Rev 3:7), and
“Which of you convict Me of sin?” (Jn 8:46)
Even the demons knew Him and said, “I knew who You are – the Holy One of God!” (Mk 1:24)
( Conclusion: Only God is Holy, but our Lord Jesus Christ is also Holy. Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ is God.)
Characteristic No.5 His zeal
Joh_2:17 And His disciples remembered that it was written, "The zeal of Your house has eaten Me up."
It was written ... - This is recorded in Psa_69:9. Its meaning is, that he was affected with great zeal or concern for the pure worship of God.
The zeal of thine house - “Zeal” is intense ardor,enthusiasm or passion, in reference to any object. The “zeal of thine house” means extraordinary concern for the temple of God; intense solicitude that the worship there should be pure, and such as God would approve.
Hath eaten me up - Hath absorbed me, or engaged my entire attention and affection; hath surpassed all other feelings, so that it may be said to be the one great absorbing affection and desire of His mind. Here is an example set for ministers and for all Christians. In Jesus this was the great commanding sentiment of his life.Barnes
In us it should be also. In this manifestation of zeal he began and ended his ministry. In this we should begin and end our lives. We learn, also, that ministers of religion should aim to purify the church of God. Wicked men, conscience-smitten, will tremble when they see proper zeal in the ministers of Jesus Christ; and there is no combination of wicked men, and no form of depravity, that can stand before the faithful, zealous, pure preaching of the gospel. The preaching of every minister should be such that wicked men will feel that they must either become Christians or leave the house of God, or spend their lives there in the consciousness of guilt and the fear of hell. Barnes
Lk 2:49 Luk 2:49 "Why is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father's business?"
At the age of twelve Jesus stayed in the temple. He knew that God was His real Father and that the Temple and the Pure Worship of God was to be His crowning Theme.
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| Aged Twelve in the temple "about His Father's Business" |
Luk 4:42 Next morning, at daybreak, He left the town and went away to a solitary place; but the people flocked out to find Him, and, coming to the place where He was, they endeavoured to detain Him that He might not leave them.
Luk 4:43 But He said to them, "I have to tell the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because for this purpose I was sent."
Luk 4:44 And for some time He preached in the synagogues in Galilee.
Note here: His zeal to preach in other villages. He was an itinerant preacher.
Luk 8:1 Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,
His Zeal caused Him to risk His life in Purifying the Temple twice.
Joh 2:15 So He plaited a whip of rushes, and drove all--both sheep and bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin of the brokers He upset on the ground and overturned their tables.
Joh 2:16 And to the pigeon-dealers He said, "Take these things away. Do not turn my Father's house into a market."
Joh 2:17 This recalled to His disciples the words of Scripture, "MY ZEAL FOR THY HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME."
Zeal to promote thy glory, and to keep thy worship pure.
His Zeal gave Him no rest until His Mission was accomplished.
Luk 12:49 "I came to throw fire upon the earth, and what is my desire? Oh that it were even now kindled!
Luk 12:50 But I have a baptism to undergo; and how am I pent up till it is accomplished!
Luk 12:51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? No, I tell you that I came to bring dissension.
and how am I pent up till it is accomplished! - these words express both the trouble and distress Christ was in, at the apprehension of his sufferings as man; which were like to the distress of persons, closely besieged by an enemy; or rather of a woman, whose time of travail draws nigh, when she dreads it, and yet longs to have it over: and likewise they signify, his restless desire to have them accomplished; not that he desired that Judas should betray him, or the Jews crucify him, as these were sins of theirs; nor merely his sufferings as such; but that thereby the justice of God might be satisfied, the law might be fulfilled, and the salvation of his people be obtained: and this eager desire of his, he had shown in various instances, and did show afterwards; as in his ready compliance with his Father's proposal in eternity. A.Clark.
Application
1. Are we as enthusiastic for the Mission of Christ in this Gospel Age?
2. Has the whole purpose of the Purity of the Worship of God consumed us? Where is the zeal for God gone in our day. It seems all so ‘yes,yes”. with all its going through the Motions.
3. We need Preachers who passionately believe what they preach, Who expound the Doctrines of the Faith of Our Fathers.
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| Luther |
Luther nailed His articles on the Cathedral door.
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C.H. Spurgeon Preaching to thousands
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Characteristics No.6 His Obedience to His Father.
Luk 22:41 But He Himself withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed repeatedly, saying,
Luk 22:42 "Father, if it be Thy will, take this cup away from me; yet not my will but Thine be done!"
Luk 22:43 And there appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him;
His will was surrendered to His Father’s will so the obedience of the cross was simpler.
Php 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming to be in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Branes Notes “The sense is, that when he was reduced to this condition he humbled himself, and obeyed even unto death. He took upon himself all the attributes of a man. He assumed all the innocent infirmities of our nature. He appeared as other people do, was subjected to the necessity of food and clothing, like others, and was made liable to suffering, as other men are. It was still he who had been in the “form of God” who thus appeared; and, though his divine glory had been for a time laid aside, “
And became obedient - He subjected himself to the law of God, and wholly obeyed it; Heb_10:7, Heb_10:9. It was a characteristic of the Redeemer that he yielded perfect obedience to the will of God. Should it be said that, if he was God himself, he must have been himself the lawgiver, we may reply that this rendered his obedience all the more wonderful and all the more meritorious. If a monarch should for an important purpose place himself in a position to obey his own laws, nothing could show in a more striking manner their importance in his view. The highest honor that has been shown to the Law of God on earth was, that it was perfectly observed by him who made the Law - the great Mediator.
Unto death - He obeyed even when obedience terminated in death. The point of this expression is this: One may readily and cheerfully obey another where there is no particular peril. But the case is different where obedience is attended with danger. The child shows a spirit of true obedience when he yields to the commands of a father, though it should expose him to hazard; the servant who obeys his master, when obedience is attended with risk of life; the soldier, when he is morally certain that to obey will be followed by death. Thus, many a company or platoon has been ordered into the “deadly breach,” or directed to storm a redoubt, or to scale a wall, or to face a cannon, when it was morally certain that death would be the consequence. No profounder spirit of obedience can be evinced than this. It should be said, however, that the obedience of the soldier is in many cases scarcely voluntary, since, if he did not obey, death would be the penalty. But, in the case of the Redeemer, it was wholly voluntary
Applications.
1. There must come a time when we surrender our wills to God’s Will for our lives. Without this we miss what God has planned for us.
2. True obedience is dying to self and living for God. Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
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