[Christ Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:7-8)
When you hear the word “king,” what comes to mind? Many readers will likely think of words like power, privilege, wealth, excess, greed and nobility. But the true King is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and His life did not look anything like our mental picture of an earthly king. There may be no better word to characterize Jesus than humility.
In today’s passage, we see the ultimate act of humility in the life of Christ: Not only did He leave the glory of heaven to come to earth and live as a human, choosing to serve rather to be served (Matthew 20:28), but He gave His life in perfect obedience to the Father for our salvation. When Jesus willingly laid down His life for us on a cross, He demonstrated for all the world to see that He was the promised Suffering Servant the prophet Isaiah described:
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Jesus left the glory of heaven, took on human flesh, embraced a life of rejection and persecution, and was ultimately mocked by sinful men, who jammed a crown of thorns onto His head and nailed Him to a wooden cross. Why did He submit to that horror? So that we who have trusted in Him can have eternal life. Accepting death on a cross was the ultimate demonstration of humility by our Humble King, and His Father in heaven placed His stamp of approval on the Son’s atoning work by raising Him from the dead.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)
Have you bowed your knee to this humble King? Have you confessed Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, there is no better time to do that than right now.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 