0890. The Pathway of His Humiliation

The Pathway of His Humiliation

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross" (Php_2:6, Php_2:8).

Let us follow the steps of our Lord's humiliation.

1. He came forth from the Father. Jesus Christ prior to His incarnation had, from all eternity, been one with the Father. He was not only with God but He was God. How frequently did Christ speak of coming forth from Heaven and from His Father!

1. Joh_6:33 : "The Bread of God is He which cometh down from Heaven."

2. Joh_6:38 : "I came down from Heaven * * to do the will of Him that sent Me."

3. Joh_6:48-50 : "I am the Bread of Life * * This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven."

4. Joh_7:29 : "I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent Me."

5. Joh_8:14 : "I know whence I came and whither I go."

6. Joh_8:16 : "The Father that sent Me;" 18: "The Father that sent Me;" 26: "He that sent Me is true;" 29: "He that sent Me is with Me."

7. Joh_8:42 : "I proceeded forth and came from God."

2. He came into a world wrecked with sin. "He was in the world * * and the world knew Him not" (Joh_1:10). Men hid their faces from the Lord of Glory.

Jesus Christ was set at naught from His cradle to His grave. Unrecognized and unhonored in birth, hated and disowned in death, our Lord was poor indeed. At the first, He was accosted as though He were a bastard; at the last, He was treated as a worm, and no man. Comforters He had none.

He was even a "stranger to His own brethren" and an "alien unto His mother's children." Those who hated Him without a cause, were more than the hairs of His head. Surely He trod a pathway of humiliation!

3. He took upon Him the form of flesh. He had a body subject to weariness and fatigue. He knew what it was to sit tired and worn at the well curb in Sychar, or to fall exhausted to sleep in a storm-tossed boat.

He partook of flesh and blood and was made in all points like unto His brethren, that He might become the perfect captain of their salvation.

4. He became a servant. He plainly told the disciples, "I am in the midst of you as one who serves." He girded Himself with a towel and washed His disciples' feet. He gladly had His ears bored, as the bondslave of the Father that He might serve His brethren.

5. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. On Calvary Christ stooped to the lowest depth of His humiliation. He was numbered among thieves; He was slain as an impostor, a blasphemer, and a rebel against Rome. Yet gladly did He bear it all. He went as a Lamb to the slaughter. He endured the Cross and despised the shame, all because He loved us so.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR