“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8
October 7, 2022
Imagine moving from a multimillion dollar mansion and estate where everything belongs to you, and voluntarily moving to live over a grate on a busy city street. The refrain of the hymn “Ivory Palaces” says it movingly, “Out of the ivory palaces into a world of woe. Only His great eternal love made my Savior go.” The Lord Jesus Christ willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross. To say that He humbled Himself further explains “emptied Himself” (v.7). The words “form of a servant,” “likeness of men,” and “in human form” give us a description of Jesus physical appearance. Ah, but you say, that doesn’t really describe what He looked like. Exactly, because this is all we need to know, lest pictures eclipse what He did. He looked like an ordinary human being (Isa. 53:2). Jesus would not have appeared on the cover of GQ magazine. He was not unusual in His height, weight, strength, physical abilities, social status. He didn’t stand out in a crowd with Hollywood looks. His death on a cross speaks of a shameful death, not a hero’s final moments. The very point Paul is driving at is humility, the willingness to die for someone else. This is servanthood. And this is exactly what the Philippian believers needed to practice, as do we. Is there someone God has placed in my life who is to be more than a rival or with whom I remain angry? Allow that answer to lead us to the foot of the cross of Jesus. H
A time to pray: “Precious Lord, may I reach out to those who stand beyond my emotional reach, and serve them with kindness.”