Westminster Larger Catechism # 48
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q48. How did Christ humble himself in his life?
Answer: Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law, which he
perfectly fulfilled; and by conflicting with the indignities of the world, temptation of
Satan, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly
that his low condition.
References: Gal. 4:4; Mt. 5:17; Rom. 5:19; Ps. 22:6; Heb. 12:2-3; Mt. 4:1-12; Luke
4:13;Heb. 2:17-18; Heb. 4:15; Isa. 52:13-14
The King of Glory having given the Law that man might know sin, Himself became liable
to the law. We have no earthly example of this for we have never had a monarch like this.
Earthly kings have been known to place themselves above the law, and it would be to such a
monarchy we must turn to understand the depth of this submission. In the western culture
the whole concept of anyone being above the law is foreign. Thus, this is a concession on
the part of God, that is important to us, yet we can scarcely understand. Even trying to
use rulers of this world and our situation doesn’t work because an earthly monarch is
not perfect and does not reign sovereign over all things seen and unseen. Nonetheless
having subjected Himself to the law He provided the perfect obedience that would justify
the statement that He fulfilled the law. Much debate has raged over the years about
whether Christ’s fulfilling of the law, done away with the law. The law as school
master, being a burden upon the people was done away with. Paul calls it bondage to the
law at one point.
Yet, the Law as the Word of God still remains and the ethical obedience there to has
not been removed from man. For example, Christ did not toss aside the commandment
concerning adultery, He explained it and left it as a law to be obeyed by God’s
people. Some point to the case laws intended for the nation of Israel and would toss them
aside lightly as having no place today. Others would claim this is God’s Law/Word and
must still be obeyed; flippantly making statements like "if you don’t obey
God’s laws, then which law will you obey. If God’s laws are not the rules our
civil governors put in place, from whence will come the laws they pass."
First understand that God has spoken and these "laws" cannot ever be done
away with as long as the Sovereign who placed them into effect is on the throne. Divine
light once revealed cannot be extinguished until the earth no longer exists. God’s
word is forever. That said, the temple is gone, the curtain torn asunder on that glorious
resurrection day. Obviously rules (law) concerning the temple cannot be literally used as
written. Most agree readily the ceremonial law no longer applies. I disagree! I don’t
have the space in this forum to really expand this as it should be. However, this too is
God’s word and if it can be cut from the Holy Writ, no other word there written is
safe from the same blade. I am not advocating a return to ancient Jewish worship. I am
saying these are God’s words and as Paul said to Timothy, "all Scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). As an example all of the laws about
temple worship can be used for history of God’s dealing with man. They can be used to
show the honor and reverence God required, and still requires of those who approach Him in
worship. In this sense, the form and nature of the worship haven’t changed. Likewise,
God set in place civil magistrates and knew there would be "civil" laws created
for the proper governance of nations. When viewed as the prototype, the model of what
justice civil law should effect, and used as a model for civil law, the OT case law is
very valuable to us. The ethics, intent of these laws (justice among men, righteousness
before God) has not changed and are binding on civil authorities today, acknowledged or
not by any particular authority. Finding the "ethic" involved and bringing every
OT law forward may not be easy, but Peter says some Scriptures are hard to understand, as
He also noted about Paul’s letters which Peter equated with Scripture. Fulfill then
does not do away with the law even as our Lord said was the case.
I find myself at variance with the Divines that being in contrast to the world and
Satan were acts of humility. It takes strength and character to stand in the face of
popular much less legal opinions, and this He boldly did. He forgave rather than
condemned, and perhaps some can call this humility, I call it grace. I once more
don’t agree to the low condition we are want to cast around Christ. Until the end He
had huge crowds flocking to hear him. He had houses, boats, etc. available. That He led a
simple life, perhaps, but this is the life God calls us to live today. It is a good life
that is beneficial to us. I may be missing something here, but in this my Lord was not
lowly, nor of low estate. That He CHOSE to live without pretentious palaces and other
earthly edifices do not indicate abject poverty. He did not say to Satan that He could not
turn the stones to bread, but that God said we live by His word. Perfect submission,
obedience to God is not to be confused with lowly estate and poverty.
It is impossible for God to have come into the midst of man post fall and not stand in
stark contrast to the nature of His created in this fallen condition and the world they
have built around a false sense of self-worth and filled with false gods. That Christ did
not condemn and destroy the world is mercy not humility. Character shows through all of
life and the surrounding circumstances do not so cover it that it is ever removed from
view. Many of our Puritan forefathers had a character similar to that of Christ, though I
think they were of a rougher language and defiant deportment than Christ, the depth of
character shows through, even to willingly embracing the flames of martyrdom. We are
looking at perfect love, submission to God in total, wrought by this complete love for us.
The Bible says perfect love casts out fear, and thus even when dealing with mortal man, as
with the Puritans, there is no fear as man knows it in the flesh. This coupled with the
inner character makes for a holy boldness, that some may call humility. I think it is the
condition of man that God would have us walk in, knowing who we are, and where we are
going, and having perfect control of self as we boldly step into the destiny prepared by
God for us.
Tremendous lesson for life are to be learned from the "humility" of Christ.
But we need not lower Him to the baseness of the human tradition to do so. The King of
Glory, would have been a noble figure in any circumstance and a worthy friend or foe
without His also having been the Son of God. This "lowliness" I believe is
available to all men, and should be eagerly sought. It is only from this perspective we
have any chance of keeping the moral law and to proceed thorough life without pride and
envy ruling supreme in our lives. James says that it is from envy and pride that all evils
flow. The counselor’s offices of the world are filled with men seeking to know who
and what they are. In Christ we know who we are and gain a proper perspective on all
things. In Christ we do not think more of ourselves than we ought, and being obedient to
the Father becomes automatic. We must never then confuse being humble, being meek with
weakness and fear. True humility is to be much sought after. Weakness and compromise to be
just as vigorously avoided. Let us then constantly remember our Lord’s
"command" that those who love Him will obey His commandments.
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- April 1998
Observer Home Page
1st EPC Home Page
