Bible Reading Philippians 2:5-11

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5

IF HEAVEN HAD (or needed) a television station, it would have made the eleven o’clock news. In fact, it would have been the lead story. No, it would have been the only story.

Newscaster peers into the camera, stone-faced.

“Today, heaven announced shocking plans for the Son of the Highest to leave his heavenly throne and descend to earth…. More after these messages!”

Newscaster waits for red light on camera to go out, then turns and shouts into the darkness behind the studio lights.

“This can’t be right! Are you sure you got the story right, Rafe?”

Voice flows from speakers above newscaster’s head.

“That’s the story,” he answers. “He’s going to be born as a baby!”

“A baby! You mean a … a … a human baby?”

“You got it. He’s gonna be bom in a stable, grow up in a backwater town. He’s gonna have to learn to walk, learn to talk, even eat what they eat.”

“Good heavens!” the newscaster says. “You can’t be serious!”

“I’m afraid I am—even lima beans and brussels sprouts. He’ll live there thirty-some years, then he’ll suffer and die—an ugly, painful death—and—“

“No!” the newscaster covers his ears with his hands and shouts, “I can’t listen! I can’t! He’s the King of Glory, Rafe! The King of Glory!”

“I know,” the voice in the speakers answers. “It’s humiliating.”

Director waves at the newscaster and sticks a hand up.

“We’re back from break in five . . . four . . . three . . . two …”

The newscaster swallows hard, then flashes an angelic smile.

“Welcome back,” he says. “Our top story …”

Of course, heaven doesn’t have a television station—as far as we know! But for Jesus, who is God, to come to earth, be born a child, become a man and suffer and die a hideous death is the ultimate act of humility. He humbled himself, not once, but many times, in order to save you and me. This act reveals why God would command humility and why he values humility—because he humbled himself! He set aside his power and majesty as God and became a man, giving us the ultimate model of humility.

REFLECT: Philippians 2:5 says, “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.” What attitude is that? Is your attitude like Christ’s (that is, humble)? Are your actions like Christ’s? Are there any attitudes or actions you need God’s help in ending or correcting? If so, ask him to help you.

ACT: How many times does today’s Bible reading use a word or phrase that refers to Christ’s humbling himself? Underline them in your Bible.

PRAY: “Father God, give me Christ’s humble attitude.”

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