Many are uncomfortable with talking about the birth of Jesus around the holiday season, but the event is a significant part of the gospel. While we do not know when precisely the Lord was born, we do know it was miraculous and unlike any other event in the history of the world. It was an event where God stepped out of eternity, was born of a woman, and lived among His creation.
In Philippians 2:6-11, the Apostle Paul gives us a closer look into what was taking place when Jesus came into the world. Consider three things we see when we take a closer look at the birth of Jesus.
We see His humility (Philippians 2:6-8).
- The Lord humbled Himself when coming to the earth. He emptied Himself of His position, status, and place in the glories of heaven.
- He did not grumble, argue, or complain about the plan of the Father. He did not come into the world demanding to be waited on and attended to by others. He did not question the Father’s plan to save through His coming into the world.
- Jesus came into the world to serve His creation by offering His life as a sacrifice for sins (Mark 10:41-45).
- We must strive to imitate the Lord’s humility (Philippians 2:1-5). We must divorce from ourselves pride and selfishness and invest ourselves in the welfare of others. While this lifestyle will make us vastly different from our culture, it is necessary for discipleship.
We see His willingness to do hard things (Philippians 2:8).
- The child miraculously born in Bethlehem would have a hard life. He grew up in a small insignificant city. He would be hated and despised by the religious elite of the day. He would be rejected and betrayed. He would even experience the worst death imaginable!
- Jesus would die through a process that was not intended to be humane, quick, and painless. Instead, it was cruel, inhumane, and excruciating in every possible way.
- It wasn’t easy for Jesus to endure the sufferings of the cross (Mark 14:33-32-36; Luke 22:41-44).
- Are we willing to do the hard things for God? Are we willing to do the difficult things God requires (Matthew 18:15, 21-35; Colossians 3:18-25; Ephesians 4:31-32)?
We see His destiny to be exalted (Philippians 2:9-11).
- Through means of dying on the cross and being raised from the dead, Jesus was exalted by the Father. He was given a name above every name and made Lord and Christ.
- Peter proclaimed how Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33-36).
- Paul spoke about a day when every person will confess Jesus and bow before Him (Philippians 2:10-11).
- The aspect of Jesus challenges us far more than a baby in a manger who doesn’t talk, walk, or make any demands on our lives (Luke 6:46).
Conclusion:
Have you confessed and bowed before the Lord Jesus? Waiting to do so on Judgment Day will be too late!