Philippians 2:5–11

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7

One busy morning Bharat stood by the side of his car which had broken down when he was on the way to the first day at his new job. Russel, who was passing by on his motor bike, stopped to help. When he learnt that Bharat was new to the city, he offered to give him a lift all the way to his office which was very far, as well as pick him up after work and drop him back to his car. He told him that he would arrange for a mechanic to repair Bharat’s car by then.

Russel’s journey back and forth and the extra effort is nothing… compared to the journey Jesus made from heaven down to earth for the incarnation. Jesus, existing outside of time and space, entered our world. He was stripped of celestial privilege, clothed instead with skin and swaddling clothes; “he made himself nothing” (PHILIPPIANS 2:7). God becoming human was miracle enough, but Jesus also “humbled himself” to death by crucifixion for our sake (V. 8).

Jesus’ sacrifice was so immense, so undeserving, so driven by compassion, that Jesus’ ‘return journey’ was a long way back up, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place” (V. 9). Today, may we rejoice anew at that long journey made for us at Christ’s expense.

What aspect of Jesus’ incarnation most amazes you? Which hymn or carol prompts you to marvel at Jesus’ first coming?

Compassionate Jesus, thank You for lowering Yourself to become one of us. Thank You for the costly love You show to us.