Christ's moral character- obeyed his Father.

CHRIST JESUS.

56. His holiness, righteousness, frankness, and disinterestedness.

Is. 11: 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

In. 8: 50 I seek not mine own glory.

Jn. 18: 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

Ac. 3: 14 Ye denied the Holy One, and the Just.

2 Cor. 5: 21 He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.

Heb. 4: 15 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.-7: 26 Such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

1 Pet. 2: 21 Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. [See 229, 630.]

57. Christ obeyed, pleased and honored God.

Ps. 40: 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Mat. 3: 17 Lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jn. 4: 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.-5: 30 I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. -6: 38 I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. -8: 29 He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 49 Jesus answered, I have not a

His poverty, etc. - Deadness to the World - Love and Compassion.

devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dishonor me.—17: 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

58. Christ's poverty and self-denial.

Mat. 8: 20 Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Rom. 15: 2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

2 Cor. 8: 9 Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Heb. 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy [Gr. Anti-instead of the joy] that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

59. How did Christ regard the world and its honors?

Jn. 5: 41 I receive not honor from men. 16: 33 I have overcome the world.—18: 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. [See 626, 743.]

60. Christ's love and compassion towards mankind.

Mat. 9: 35 Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness, and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.-14: 14 Jesus .went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.-15: 32 Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. — 23: 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Jn. 13: 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.-15: 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: : continue ye in my love.

A Pattern of Condescension.

Ac. 10: 38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Rom. 5:6 When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.―8: 37 In all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us.

Ep. 5: 2 Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.

[See 224-5, 228, and Invitations and Redemption.]

61. Christ a pattern of condescension.

Mat. 9: 11 When the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. -19: 14 Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.-20: 27 Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant : 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Lk. 22: 27 Whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

:

Jn. 13: 13 Ye call me Master, and Lord and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then your Lord and Master have washed also ought to wash one another's feet.

your feet; ye Ph. 2: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Heb. 2: 11 Both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. [See 228.]

His Meekness, Modesty, etc. - diligent in his work - Prayerful.

62. Christ's meekness, forbearance, forgiveness, lowliness, modesty, and patience.

Is. 42: 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. [Mat. 12: 17-20.]-50: 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

Mat. 11: 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. -21: 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Mk. 15: 4 Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing: so that Pilate marvelled. Lk. 23: 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.

2 Cor. 10: 1 I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

1 Pet. 2: 21 Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an exam ple, that ye should follow his steps: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. [See 482, 498, 660.]

63. Christ diligent in his work.

Lk. 2: 49 Wist ye not that I must be about my business?

Father's

Jn. 5:17 Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. - 9: 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. [See 1.]

64. Christ's prayerfulness, and prevalence in prayer.

Ps. 21: 2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.

Mat. 14: 23 When he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. - 26: 36 Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I

A Preacher.

will, but as thou wilt. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 44 And went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Mk. 6: 46 When he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

Lk. 5: 16 He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. 6: 12 He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.-9: 18 As he was alone praying, his disciples were with him. 28 He took Peter, and John, and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 11: 1 It came to pass, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Jn. 11: 41 Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me : 42 I knew that thou hearest me always.-14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments: 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. [See 516.]

65. Christ a preacher.

Ps. 40: 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Is. 61: 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God. [Lk. 4: 18.] Mat. 4: 23 Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. - 7: 28 It came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine. 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. - 13: 54 When he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?