In our meditations on The First Christian Hymn, we've reached the fourth and final downward step of the Son of God. First, he decided to lay aside his Majesty, next he took on the nature of a servant, third he became a real human being in a real sinful world, and now he sinks to the lowest of the low - he willingly dies a most miserable death on a cross: "he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death –
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
Why was it humbling to die? Because Jesus Christ was a sinless man and death is just payment to sinners for their sin. If anyone should not have died it was Jesus Christ.
And why was death on a cross a further humbling, "even death on a cross"? Because in addition to the terifying pain was the fact that all your suffering, your tears, your agony and your cries were exposed to the world to see, and if they chose, to mock. No private suffering was possible on a cross. And no human comfort either.
One of the tragedies of COvid-19 has been that many of the victims have died alone. Crucifixion was the same. No-one to hold your trembling hand or wipe your fevered brow.
Paul says that Jesus willingly lowered himself to death on a cross, "he humbled himself." He could have called out for legions of angels who in one instant could have prevented the evil crime or taken him off the cross, but he stayed up there and for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2).
Summing it All Up
Let us keep in mind the one purpose of this hymn. Paul is saying that our attitude towards others should be one of self-denial, self-suffering and self-humbling. We should be looking out not only for our own interests, but for the interests of others- even when that involves tremendous personal self-sacrifice.
If anyone wants to follow me, we remember Jesus saying, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus.
So often our service to others is at our own convenience. We serve when it is convenient and easy. But, says Paul, truer Christian service takes it out of us, serves when we are weary and gives when we are spent. All in the power of God's Holy Spirit of course, but still requiring self-sacrifice.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
For many years Bill and Gloria Gaither have produced Christian music in the American country style. Here's a wonderful hymn about the cross which you can hear HERE.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our all-loving Father,
We thank you for the humbing of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot fathom the heights and depths of his love for us, but bless you that his love is your love too.
Give to us just a small portion of your love, to enable us to love in a lost and broken world.
We ask this in Jesus' name,
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment