Philippians 2:5-8 The Humility of Jesus

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. [Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV]

Having just exhorted the church to humility, Paul presents Jesus as the ultimate example of humility.

There is no greater ambition than to be God. Megalomaniacs with delusions of grandeur have sometimes claimed to be a god. There are religions in the world that draw people in with promises that they will achieve godhood.

Jesus didn't achieve Godhood. It wasn't something He became. It is who He has always been for all eternity. He didn't have to grasp or strive to be equal with God, because He is God.

John describes the coming of Christ this way;

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. [John 1:1-4 NKJV]

Jesus was not a lesser god, but is God Himself, the creator of all things.

Jesus humbled Himself to become a man. He might have come as a king, or a wealthy land owner, or a priest, or any other person of influence. Instead He came as a servant. He came from a despised family (Mary's reputation was that she conceived Jesus out of wedlock). From the most despised town in the despised region of Galilee.

He humbled Himself even further by dying on the cross. Having lived a sinless life, He took the sins of the world upon Himself with His sacrifice. He became cursed so that we could be free from the curse of sin.

Jesus had nothing to gain, because He already had everything. He gave it all up for our sake, putting our needs above His own.

He considered us to be more important than Himself.

How can we fail to do anything but follow His example. It is our privilege to imitate Him by esteeming others better than ourselves. To put others first is to truly follow Jesus.

Jesus, I give thanks that You, being God, humbled Yourself for my sake. I thank You that You freely share Your Spirit with me. I choose to walk in Your Spirit, that I may know the mind of Christ, and follow You in all things.