April 13
From Glory to Humility
Philippians 2:3-11
In order to save mankind and shower grace upon the undeserving, Christ had to make a voluntary choice to leave heaven and become a man. He took upon Himself the weakness of humanity while never losing His divinity. Though still fully divine, He did not cling to equality with God but limited the use of His supernatural powers and rights.
Having an incomplete understanding of all that Christ surrendered, we often lack an appreciation of the magnitude of His descent from the riches of glory to the poverty of humanity. He traded the praise and worship of the angelic host for the mockery and jeers of an angry mob. Laying aside His omnipotence, He experienced the weakness of fatigue and the need for sleep. Being immortal but wanting to pay our sin-debt, He had to take on human flesh in order to die for you and me.
The One who had authority over all creation (Col. 1:16-17) walked this earth in complete submission to the Father's will (John 5:19, 30), "becoming obedient to the point of death" (Phil. 2:8). Instead of relying on His own strength, He depended on the power of God (Acts 2:22). Jesus' manner of living not only accomplished our salvation but also gave us an example to follow.
Every believer has a choice to make: Will I live my way and demand my rights, or will I empty myself and submit to God? Only by humbling ourselves in submission and obedience to the Father will we experience the joy of the Lord and the glories of His eternal rewards in heaven.
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