8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross
Philippians 2:8 (ESV)
JESUS: HUMBLE, OBEDIENT, SUFFERING SERVANT
As mentioned yesterday, Jesus came down from Heaven not in the form of royalty but as a newborn. Jesus’ life is marked by humble obedience: He was born in a stable and laid in a manger (a feeding trough). He lived in a humble family and grew up as a carpenter’s son. He waited patiently for 30 years before beginning His ministry. He came not with trumpets blaring but to the water’s edge to be baptized. He did not associate with the high-born but with the lowly and the despised. He washed the feet of His followers, including the feet of the one who would soon betray Him. Finally, He never reviled those who persecuted and crucified Him; instead, He humbly endured to fulfill God’s ultimate plan.
Barclay’s Study Bible notes:
“The great characteristics of Jesus’ life were humility, obedience, and self-renunciation. He did not desire to dominate men but only to serve them; he did not desire his own way but only God’s way; he did not desire to exalt himself but only to renounce all his glory for the sake of men.”
Paul told the church in Rome:
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight” (Rom. 12:16, ESV).
Humility is simply thinking less of oneself and more of others. Jesus often reminded His disciples that the last will be first, and the first will be last. The servant and the slave are highly exalted, while the proud are humbled and brought low.
I believe the greatest outward expression of humility is obedience. Jesus was obedient in all things to the will of the Father, even unto death. Charles Spurgeon expresses it beautifully:
“Obedience is the best humility, laying yourself at the feet of Jesus, and making your will active only when you know what it is God’s will for you to do. This is to be truly humble.”
Consider the contrast between the nature of the first Adam and the second Adam. The first Adam was prideful, self-serving, and ultimately disobedient. In contrast, the second Adam, Jesus, was humble, selfless, and completely obedient. Now compare their final outcomes: the first Adam was banished from a perfect garden, toiled in the dirt, and experienced pain and death. The second Adam willingly left a perfect Heaven, lived among the “dirty” of this world, and also experienced pain and death. Adam died and returned to the dust, while Jesus died, was raised again, and is highly exalted by His Father in Heaven.
Selfless, humble obedience is advanced Christianity. As fallen human beings, we will always be at war with our worldly desires. However, Paul reminds us:
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24, ESV).
We must put to death our pride and passions. Jesus was obedient, even unto death on a cross. We can honor and praise Him most when we humbly obey and walk in His footsteps, serving others along the way.
Diggin Deeper (er):
Heb 5:8; Isaiah 53
Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.
