The incarnation: the wonder of Christ's humility

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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 2:5‭-‬11 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

The wonder of Christ's humility

Jesus became one of us. This should impress us. But we live in a first world country, we live comfortable lives. But we need to consider the life of an Israelites under the rule of the Romans. It was not a pleasant life. 

Jesus' life is summarized in 3 parts. First Jesus was in the form of God. He was a separate person, but he was in the nature of God. He was in perfect communion with the Holy Trinity. Then, He became nothing. God is so far above us and so different from us in so many ways. But he became restrained by human limits. It is unfathomable to us. It is the greatest downgrade in lifestyle and everything else. He was born into obscurity, a blue collar family, no good looks to recommend him. Not only that, but he would die in the most painful and shameful way. We might be able to humble ourselves in some extent, but Jesus humbled himself beyond what we could by ourselves bare. He knew the awkwardness of teenage years. He knew betrayal, loneliness, frustration, ... All these things He experienced. He knew the pain of family infighting, lack of money, and all the human troubles large and small. Finally, he was exalted to the right hand of God, the Father. He came back to life after defeating the grave and death. He went from the humble King to the risen King. At his name, every knee would bow. 

Walking in Christ's humility

Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit and he wrote this passage for a reason. He was asking the church to be of one mind. There had been pride, quarreling, and infighting amount members of the church. Salvation does not mean all conflict will disappear. If our hearts are not filled with the love of Christ, we will seek to fill it with other things. Respect, pleasure, power, praise of men, a sense of control... If you are full, then other things will not have the same pull or temptation.