Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Today as I read these verses and think about the "humanness" of Jesus, verse 6 seemed to become brand new for me. Jesus had the power and abilities to do anything. But he never once did anything with those powers to help himself out as a man. No miraculous accommodations appeared on the hillside, there was no superhuman lack of physical suffering when he was hungry or tired or frightened, there was no miraculous last minute rescue from the cross. He lived as a man, with all of those hardships and at the same time never used his deity to his own advantage. He lived an unselfish life of service to others. What a model for me! Really, this is way out of my range of selflessness, but Jesus will forever be a model for me to emulate. I can be a better human.
Holy Lord, help me to see opportunities to be more available to others, and less concerned about my own welfare. Others first. Amen
Becky, transforming
Philippians 2:5-8
Although Jesus is God’s son and, therefore divine, I always believed him to be fully human with a full range of of human emotions, as I stated yesterday. It only makes sense to me that he must be like us in order to be with us and to understand us. The most difficult part of his humanness comes with the crucifixion. This will of God must be done as He said but it is this act that shows the best part of Jesus’ humanity. He knows the plan and doesn’t deviate from it despite the outcome.
Prayer: Gracious God, Thank you for the many examples you set for us to follow as we are on this journey o…
Friday December 15th, 2023
Philippians 2:5-8
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.
Another very important passage in the New Testament because it reveals that Jesus was not just a man and He was not just God – He was and is both! He is God and man on the inside; but He looked like a ma…
Philippians 2:5-8 I cannot perceive the discipline it would take to know I was “in the very nature of God,” and not take advantage of it. The temptation to make my life just as I want it at any given time would be too great for me. While I could certainly think of countless good things that could be done for others, the good things I selfishly give myself may harm others. Only the perfect God/Man could thread this impossible needle. I know all too well how to be human. With Jesus as teacher and guide I can approach the thin places that make me more like Him who is God. This is the essence of sanctification.
Prayer - Jesus, I…