One of the most breathtaking truths of the Christian faith is not merely that Jesus came, but how He came. The eternal Son of God did not arrive in splendor, wealth, or political power. He came quietly. Humbly. Willingly. He came to serve.
Philippians 2 gives us a glimpse into the heart of Christ: a heart marked by humility, obedience, and sacrificial love.
Key Scripture: Philippians 2:7–8 (KJV)
“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.”
Though fully God, Jesus chose to take on human flesh. Though worthy of all honor, He made Himself of “no reputation.” Though deserving of worship, He took the form of a servant.
This is the wonder of the Incarnation. And it is also a challenge: one that confronts how we live, what we value, and whom we truly serve.
Jesus Christ: God Who Became a Servant
The doctrine of the Incarnation teaches us that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ. This was not God lowering His standards, but God lowering Himself.
Jesus did not stop being God when He became man. Rather, He added humanity to His divinity. Philippians 2:7 tells us that He “made himself of no reputation,” which means He willingly laid aside His heavenly privileges, not His divine nature, to walk among us.
He experienced hunger, weariness, rejection, sorrow, and pain. He lived among sinners, touched lepers, washed the feet of His disciples, and ultimately gave His life on the cross.
Why would God do this?
So that you and I could have a relationship with Him.
The Incarnation is not merely a theological concept; it is a deeply personal reality. God stepped into human history because humanity could not climb its way back to Him. Jesus came to serve us by doing what we could never do for ourselves: paying the debt of sin in full.
Christmas, Consumerism, and the Greatest Gift Ever Given
In much of modern culture, especially in America, Christmas has become synonymous with shopping, spending, and stress. We measure the season by how much we buy, how much we decorate, and how much we consume.
But Christmas is not about what we give. It is about what God gave.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16, KJV)
No gift under the tree can compare to the gift laid in a manger. No amount of money can purchase forgiveness, salvation, or eternal life. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given to humanity, because He gave Himself.
The tragedy is not that people celebrate Christmas; it is that many celebrate it without Christ.
The real question is not how much we spend, but whether we have received the gift God has already given.
A Free Gift That Must Be Accepted
Salvation is a gift, but like any gift, it must be received.
Jesus served us by becoming obedient “unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). He bore our sin, our guilt, and our punishment. He paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay.
Yet God does not force this gift upon anyone.
Each person must decide: Will I accept Christ, or will I reject Him?
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, today is the day. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Scripture tells us:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV)
To accept Christ is not merely to believe He exists; it is to trust Him, surrender to Him, and begin a living relationship with Him.
Jesus Is Lord: Every Knee Will Bow
Philippians 2 does not end with humility but with exaltation.
Philippians 2:9–11 (KJV)
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The same Jesus who humbled Himself will one day be universally acknowledged as Lord. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. The question is not if this will happen, but when and how.
Will you confess Him as Lord now—in faith and obedience—or later, in judgment?
Jesus deserves to be Lord of your life because of who He is and what He has done. He is not merely Savior; He is King.
Why the Servanthood of Christ Matters Today
So why does this matter to us personally?
Because Jesus served us to show us how to serve Him.
He did not call us to a life of self-centeredness, comfort, or personal glory. He called us to a life of obedience, worship, and service.
Jesus Himself said:
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, KJV)
If the Son of God came to serve, how can we justify living only for ourselves?
Serving Self or Serving the Lord?
God has given every person the freedom to choose. We can serve self, or we can serve the Lord, but we cannot do both.
Joshua’s words still echo with urgency today:
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, KJV).
Serving oneself looks appealing. It promises comfort, control, and independence. But it ultimately leads to emptiness and separation from God.
Serving the Lord requires humility and surrender. But it leads to purpose, peace, and eternal life.
Ask yourself honestly:
- Do my choices reflect obedience to Christ or devotion to self?
- Does my time, money, and energy honor the Lord?
- Is Jesus truly Lord of my life, or merely a part of it?
Following the Example of a Servant Savior
Jesus did not merely teach about service; He lived it. He showed us what love looks like in action. He served the broken, the forgotten, the sinful, and the weak.
And now He calls us to do the same.
Serving the Lord is not about earning salvation; it is about responding to grace. When we truly understand what Christ has done for us, service becomes an act of worship.
The real question is not whether Jesus is worthy of our service—He is.
The real question is whether we are willing to give Him our lives.
A Final Invitation: Will You Serve the Lord?
Jesus came to serve. He came to save. He came to restore our relationship with God.
This Christmas and every day, may we look beyond the noise, the spending, and the distractions, and fix our eyes on the Servant King.
Choose this day whom you will serve.
And may we say, with conviction and faith:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products or services I trust and personally use. Thank you for supporting Biblical Christianity!
Recommended Resource
|
Where Christology Began: Essays on Philippians 2
By Various Scholars Philippians 2:5–11 is one of the most influential Christological passages in the New Testament. This scholarly volume explores Christ’s preexistence, incarnation, humility, and exaltation through careful exegetical study. An international group of respected theologians examines this foundational hymn, offering insight into early Christian belief and ongoing debates surrounding the nature and work of Christ. |