He humbled Himself - Part One

Philippians 2:5-8, "(5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) 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." To the spiritual mind this portion of the Holy Scriptures holds a special significance. Here we learn the 7 steps of condescension that the Lord Jesus took in order to redeem us from the bondage of sin and death; and to save our sinful souls.

 Step 1: The Lord Jesus Christ as God the Son "...did not consider it robbery to be equal with God..." because He is God and part of the Godhead.

 Step 2: He "...made Himself of no reputation..." In order to meet sinful human beings' needs of salvation He voluntarily veiled His glory and entered our world as a man. He left the throne of God and "...was made a little lower than the angels..." (Hebrews 2:9).

 Step 3: "...taking the form of a bondservant..." Christ became indissolubly bound to God as God's bondservant. He came to do God the Father's will as a perfect, sinless man. No man was His Master; God Himself was Christ's Master.

 Step 4:"...coming in the likeness of men." He was born of a virgin and grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. He had to partake of flesh and blood in order to redeem our souls. Yet He was sinless; Adam's sinful nature did not pass to Him because no man had any part in His conception in Mary's womb. Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

 Step 5: "And being found in appearance as a man..." Even secular history records details of the man named Jesus of Nazareth. However, He was not just any man for He was also the Son of David, the Messiah, the King of the Jews and the Son of God. He was truly God and truly man. Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor in Jerusalem, after he had scourged Jesus Christ brought Him out to the people and said, "Behold the Man!" (John 19:5).

 Step 6: "...He humbled himself..." It is good to point out here that Jesus the Christ was always in control of the situation. Nobody could do anything to Him unless He allowed it. John 18:4-6, "(4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?' (5) They answered Him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am (He).' And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. (6)Now when He said to them, 'I am (He),' they drew back and fell to the ground."

 So He voluntarily humbled himself and allowed himself to be taken; and then later allowed Himself to be crucified on a Roman cross, for your sins and my sins. The cross was a type of death reserved for criminals. It was a shameful, cruel death.

 Step 7: "...and became obedient to (the point of) death, even the death of the cross." He was submissive to God the Father's will for himself. Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death..." He came to die! He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins to God. However, I must emphasise this point very strongly. No man took His life from Him! He voluntarily gave it up at Calvary. He yielded up, or dismissed, His own human spirit. John 19:30, "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." Yes, He "...became obedient to death...even the death of the cross."

 The 7 steps the Lord Jesus Christ took down to the cross at Calvary were for your benefit and mine. Let us never forget that downward path. Let's revisit Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." He went into death - but death could not hold Him! He arose from among the dead on the third day and forty days later ascended into heaven. That's where He is now crowned with glory and honour!

 Next blog post we will continue in Philippians chapter 2.

 

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 [All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

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