Philippians 2:5-11
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
Growing up in a Christian home and hearing the Gospel message all of my life sometimes makes it easy for me to take it for granted. In my personal Bible study time this morning I was kind of jolted back to reality of how amazing Christ's atonement really is!
Jesus is God and He is equal with God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2)
I thought about how hard it is to humble myself. When I "deserve" respect and do not get it, I am not too happy. I want to see that person "put in their place!" Jesus made himself a man, but not just any man, he became a servant - "becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross."
So, not only did he humble himself greatly in becoming a man, but he humbled himself as a man to be the lowest of all men--a servant. However, He did not stop there. He took on himself the sins of the whole world and died on the cross--the lowest of humanity died in such public shame.
The part that got me was that Jesus did this willingly. He did this for me! I deserve death and humiliation because of my sin, but Jesus took it all upon himself so that I could go free!
"Let this mind be in you." Paul is saying that I need to take on this attitude and mindset. Instead of seeking my own way and demanding my "rights," I should be looking at my example, Jesus Christ, and realizing how much I've been forgiven and, in turn, forgiving others in the same way.
Oh! That the Holy Spirit would fill me and give me this kind of selfless love! I want to be completely surrendered to God, just like my Savior! I want to imitate Christ and let this mindset be in me!
