Henderson Hills Baptist Church

 The Humiliation of Christ (continued)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Philippians 2:5-11 ESV

We come today to that point in our passage of Philippians 2:5-11 when we arrive at one of the most dramatic statements in all of Scripture. After laying the foundation of all that Jesus was, Paul takes a pivotal point when he writes, “but”. Philippians 2:7 says, “But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men”.  Jesus made Himself nothing. He emptied Himself. Think of it as He poured Himself out. God poured Himself out of heaven. He left His rights and did even more than this. Verse 7 in NASB says, “But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men”. So, God Himself came to earth not as an emperor or king, but as a servant. And, He came not as a high servant, but actually a common every day, household servant.

That is hard to imagine, isn’t it? So, Jesus who has always existed as God, poured Himself out of heaven and became a servant. What an example that Paul challenges us in this passage to follow. Do you see the humiliation? God left heaven. He became Bethlehem’s baby. He grew and led a sinless life and we will see tomorrow, He chose to die for your sins and mine. Consider for today how our self promotion in life contrasts with Christ’s humility. Think of His love. He loves you, remember, He made Himself nothing. Do you love like this? This is to be the calling of our lives. He sacrificed everything for us. Do we sacrifice anything, really? Jesus lived as a human being just like you. He experienced pain, rejection, betrayal, hunger, thirst, loneliness, and temptation. Just like you. You are never alone, you have a Friend, someone who understands and cares. Turn to Him and thank Him for all that He is and is doing today for you.

The next time you face a loss, a betrayal, a temptation, a disappointment, or pain, consider the life of Christ. Seek His face on that day. Remember, Scripture says in Hebrews 4:15-16, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

2 Peter 3:18

Dennis

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