“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)
Sometime in late March or early April of 6 BCE, a king was born that would rule an eternal kingdom. The Angel of the Lord told Joseph that he would be called “Emmanuel” which means “God with us.” What a marvelous thought! God coming to live with mankind is such an exciting idea that we humans can hardly believe it.
Although he is God, Emmanuel left his divine place and clothed himself with humanity. Emmanuel never consider his humanity as a demotion from his divinity. He arrived on the earth in the normal way humans do, as a vulnerable baby, whose mother birthed him in a Bethlehem stable and laid him in a manger. He could say, “Yes, I was born in a barn.”
Except for the Prophets and the angelic heralds, there were no public relations campaigns to give him a national or world reputation, yet everywhere he went as an adult, crowds assembled to hear him speak. Throughout his short life, he constantly taught and modeled servanthood.
What humility we see as we study Emmanuel’s earthly life and ministry. Everything about him — his attitude — his actions — his reactions — all showed us an example of humility. His humility was self-imposed. He humbled himself. He lay down his desires and his life. No one forced him to submit. He submitted himself to being human. He submitted himself to the hard circumstances of 1st century Israel. He obeyed the Eternal Father’s plan for mankind’s salvation — Emmanuel’s death on the Cross of Calvary.
No matter what our perspective of Emmanuel’s life, without him we cannot be a citizen in his Kingdom. Christmas has been given to remind us of his birth, but let us not forget why Emmanuel was born , lived with us, and died for us.
Dear Father, thank you for Emmanuel. Empower us with his attitude and mindset that we might also humble ourselves for the salvation of others. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today because God is with us,