Philippians 2:5-8 - "He Humbled Himself"

“Andbeing found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself.” Thatphrase is astonishing. Jesus humbled Himself voluntarily. Nobody forced Him.Nobody trapped Him. Nobody took His life from Him against His will. RememberJesus said in John 10:18: “No man takes my life from me. I lay it down ofmyself.” You see, humility was not weakness in Jesus. It was deliberatesurrender. Whenpeople looked at Jesus, they simply saw a man. “Being found in appearance as aman,” most people saw Him and never realized who stood before them. They saw acarpenter from Nazareth, a Jewish teacher, a poor rabbi with no earthly power. Matthew13:55 says they asked the question: “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” Theymissed the glory hidden behind His humanity. The Creator walked among Hiscreation unnoticed. Imagine that. The One who spoke worlds into existence wasmocked by sinners. The One who created human hands allowed those hands to nailHim to a cross. YetHe humbled Himself. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus continually chosethe low place. He touched lepers others avoided. He welcomed children othersignored. He ate with tax collectors and sinners others despised. He washeddirty feet others refused to touch. Remember John 13: Jesus wrapped Himself ina servant’s garment. Then He washed the disciples’ feet and said: “I havegiven you an example that you should do as I have done to you.” Humilityis not simply admiring Jesus. It is learning from Him. In Matthew 11:28-30,Jesus said: “Come to me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I willgive you rest.” Then He says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest unto your souls. Formy yoke is easy and my burden is light.” It is getting in the yoke withJesus in humility. Humilityis one of the clearest marks of genuine spirituality. Pride was the originalsin. Lucifer fell through pride. Adam and Eve reached upward in pride. ButJesus willingly stepped downward in humility. He was never insecure. He neverdenied who He was. Yet He constantly placed others before Himself. Our worldcelebrates self-promotion, but Jesus modeled self-denial. The culture says,“Build your platform.” Jesus says, “Take up your cross.” The flesh says, “Benoticed.” But Jesus says, “Serve faithfully.” Oneof the hardest things for us is hidden humility. True humility is content with only God seeing. Philippians2 is teaching us that humility is not optional for believers. It is the mindsetof Jesus Christ. Remember James 4:6 says: “God resists the proud, but Hegives grace to the humble.” Think about that. Pride puts us in oppositionto God, but humility places us under the grace that we desperately need everyday.Sohow do we cultivate humility? First, by keeping our eyes on Jesus Christ. Pridegrows when we compare ourselves to others. Humility grows when we compareourselves to Jesus. Second, by serving others intentionally. Humility isdeveloped through acts of service. And third, by remembering that everything wehave is from God. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says: “What do you have that you did notreceive?”  Today, ask God to reveal areas of hidden pridein your life. Maybe that pride is in: our knowledge, our accomplishments, ourministry, our possessions, or even our spiritual maturity. Independence itselfcan become a source of pride. Pride can even hide behind religious activity. But,my friend, the cross of Jesus Christ destroys pride because it reminds us thatwe are sinners completely dependent upon His grace. The closer we walk withJesus, the humbler we will become. Let’spray together. “Lord Jesus, thank You for Your incredible humility. Forgive usfor pride and self-centeredness. Teach us to take the low place joyfully andserve others with sincere hearts. Help us to think less about ourselves andmore about You and others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”