“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:5-8
The baby in the manger reflects a revolutionary way of thinking that inverts this world’s system of values. Releasing His infinite majesty and absolute rule, and limiting Himself to the insignificance and lowly place of a house servant, Jesus lived a life that was absolutely yielded to the will of His Father. Why did He do this?
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Jesus became a servant so that your life could be transformed. With one life to spend, He spent it all… on you. His obedience changes you. And if His attitude seeps into your thinking, you’re going to become a revolutionary presence in your world too.
Obedience is an offensive concept in our culture: it seems demeaning to obey someone. Yet, for Jesus, it was essential to doing life the way God intended. The obedient life is simply a dependent life, an active exhibition of faith in God. You cannot fulfill His assignment for your life by drawing on your ingenuity and resources alone. The God-sized work He gives you is always more than you can do in your own strength. Although Jesus was fully God, He did life within the limitations and frailties of His humanity — just like you and me. Jesus had a divine mission, but He could only accomplish it through the enabling presence and power of God.
- When Jesus needed to know what to say, God guided Him (John 12:49).
- When Jesus needed to know what to do, God showed Him (John 5:19).
- When Jesus needed supernatural help, God helped Him (Luke 11:20).
Jesus is not only our Savior. He’s our model for how to live in a dependent relationship with God. “Obedience” is about trading in your meager “powers” and tapping into His power. It’s not about losing your worth and value, but finding your significance through His purpose for your life. This is the attitude of Jesus… and it started with His arrival in Bethlehem.
According to Paul, this is the mindset of Jesus that must infect your own thinking. Welcome to the Christmas Revolution!
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Obedience and humility are two concepts that are truly unnatural — but absolutely necessary evidences of life transformation in the lives of believers. Of course, the ‘I’ in each word is the major issue. Our deepest struggles in life — and our frequent reluctance to seek help from others — always points back to pride. And that pride can only be overcome by daily dying to self. That doesn’t sound all too exciting either, does it? I’m thankful that God is patient and gracious with His children!
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