Read Philippians 2:5-11

These verses found here in Philippians 2 might be some of the most significant verses found in scripture that tell of Christ’s humanity.

Immanuel
God with us
The Word made flesh
Incarnation

Image Credit: Tony Verdú Carbó, Creative Commons

One of the unique qualities of Jesus, of the Christian faith, is a God who came to Earth as a humble servant.

A God who emptied Himself so that we would be filled.
A God who became obedient to death, so that we could have new life.
A God who was brought low so that we would praise His name on high.
A God who dies in humility and is raised up in glory and honor.

This is our LORD and Savior, Christ Jesus.

A perfect God, living the life you and I could never live and dying the death that you and I deserve.

In all of the ways God could have chosen to reveal Himself, He chose to do so personally. He chose to be known by mankind, by making Himself known.

He chose to dwell among so we could know about.

These verses show his full humanity, which is what makes his death a full satisfactory payment for our sin. If He was not fully human, this sacrificial atonement would not fulfill God’s requirement. We know the penalty of sin is death, and without a perfect sacrifice God’s judgment is not satisfied. Christ Jesus taking our punishment is the ultimate example of humility, love, and service.

Again, Paul is telling us how to live. WE do not live in humility or service to others out of our own strength, but out of God’s love and Spirit, modeling after Him. We are called to reflect our God to the world around us. In order to do that, we must incarnate the brokenness and the pain in our world, we must dwell among the lost and the outcast. WE must love in humility just as our LORD Jesus did.

1. What are some of the characteristics of Jesus based on these verses?

2. In today’s culture, is humility a virtue? Why or why not?

3. Does humility mark your life? How can you better follow after Christ and serve others in humility?

 

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