but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7-8 KJV
The Context and Focus:
Paul, writing to the church in Phiippi, lays down the foundation of today's verse in the benefits of a personal encounter with Jesus. It is the personal that drives the public; it is the personal that determines the impact of the public. This is why Paul starts the chapter by asking some pointed questions: Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Do we get any comfort from experiencing his love? Is His Spirit able to impact my heart and make me compassionate and tender? These are some of the benefits and blessings that the presence of Christ is able to generate and sustain in me. His life is the perfect example to emulate, and today's verses help me know and understand the scope and depth of what he has done, and by extension, what he requires of me. The first thing is his nature and power, which he left behind when he was born to the earth. In his glory, no one could touch him, but he left all that behind, and was born to a world that did not recognize, value or appreciate Him. He knew who and what He was, but because of you and I, he took them all off, and allowed himself to be treated like a common criminal. This was the price that sin demanded, in line with God's clear word.
The Message:
Death is the end of all unconfessed sin, and even the blood of bulls and goats couldn't wash away the guilt. It only provided cover so God would not destroy. The only price that could ever fully pay the debt we owed was the blood uncontaminated by sin. No wonder Jesus had to be born the way He did, without the input of the human nature. To make matters even more complex, the world he came to save didn't care to know who He was, but it rejected him totally. Just a few people believed in Him, and trusted him with their lives. If Jesus had thought of the many who would reject him, he may not have totally surrendered to this course, but he must have also thought of the many who would accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. For those ones, the sacrifice and pain was worth it. He emptied Himself of all that made him untouchable, and came in form of a servant. Men, who he had formed and created, mocked and even spat at him. Men who were his subjects, drew lots for his clothes, and then he was nailed to the cross, which must have been the most humiliating way to die in those days. To make matters worse, he was placed in between two thieves. What humiliation!
The Conclusion:
For a moment, pause and think: Do you think God would do all these if there were no benefits to him? Actually, I believe that if it were only for me, Jesus would still die. After all, at the time he died, none of us here was alive, yet He paid the debt long before even my great grandparents even came together. That is the best definition of love that I know. He didn't wait for me to be worthy; his death and resurrection are what has made me worthy. I can imagine the pain in the heart of God the Father when he had to turn away from his own son as he hung on the cross, his blood pouring out of him as he paid the supreme sacrifice for sin. Jesus, for the first and last time, cried: "My Father, why have you forsaken me?" If God could treat his own son like this due to sin, imagine the pain in the heart of God when men reject this gift to the end. What other sacrifice can deliver from sin, if Jesus cannot? What other price can deliver the prize of eternal life into my hands, if I do not go through the One whose death and life have secured eternal life for me? He was obedient to the cross, so that I could receive the end of the cross, which is eternal life. Would I take up the offer? Remember, eternity lies at the end of this decision. God's time of favour is here.
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