Pastor’s Pen 12/22/2019

Pastor’s Pen 12/22/2019

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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. Philippians 2:3-8

Although Jesus was most likely not born in the winter months, it is the time we often set aside to remember when God Himself came and took on flesh.  Philippians 2:5 describes how our Savior stepped off His throne and became absolutely    human as well as still absolutely God.  But when  He became absolutely human, He set aside His ability to access His divine attributes, instead He was only given access to them when the Holy    Spirit allowed.  It is a huge thing for the king of    the universe to step off of the most glorious and exalted throne found in Isaiah 6 and become a very needy, vulnerable baby.  That is what we celebrate at the time of Christmas.

Philippians does not leave us there though.  Not only did Jesus become absolutely human, he took on the role of a servant.  Verse 7 of Chapter 2 shows that he humbled or “emptied” Himself in order to be a servant.  He would serve both the  Father and He would serve God’s children.  He would serve through His perfect life, a life that God’s children would ultimately inherit.

Could you imagine Mary looking at her newborn  baby and really having no clue just how special He is?  It was this helpless babe that would bring unity and ultimately humility to God’s people.  See verses 3-4 of Chapter 2 show that God would have this child to unite men with Himself, both now through service to each other and in a common unification in Christ; and later when we gather as His people for all eternity.  During this time of year, I often think through the song “Mary did you know?”  but I want us all to take the time to reflect and ask ourselves “Do you know the lengths Jesus humbled Himself for you?”  And once we meditate on His humility may we seek to model the same to those God has placed around us.

Pastor Jamie

 

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