Like Us
Posted by Karah
Pause
Think about someone who knows more about something than you do—a sport, skill, or topic—yet has been willing to come alongside you and teach you at your pace. Thank Jesus for doing the same thing when He came to live among us.
Why would Jesus—the Holy Son of God—humble Himself to come live among us? Read Philippians 2:5-11 in your Bible to discover the answer. As you read, circle the phrases that indicate Jesus’ divine nature. Draw a box around the words that point to His humanity.
“Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men.” —Philippians 2:5-7c
Ask yourself:
Consider verse 6. What does it mean to say Jesus has equality with God? Write it in your own words.
Think about Jesus’ divinity. What rights, privileges, and glory did He give up to live among us? Explain.
Why is it important that Jesus was both God and man? Explain.
Look at verse 8. What was the reason Jesus took on our humanity and came to live among us? Why is that important?
Respond
Jesus is God. He has the exact nature of God, yet He became like us so that we can have a relationship with the Father.
Jesus emptied Himself to take on the role of a slave. Keep that same attitude yourself. Look for ways you can serve others today. Record two ideas in the margin.
Meditate on verse 8. Jesus willingly laid down His life so that you could have a relationship with the Father, a relationship your sinfulness makes impossible. If you are not a Christian, talk to your parents or someone in your church about what it means to follow Jesus. If you are a believer, celebrate and thank Jesus for what He has done on your behalf.
For further study, read “The Grace of Humility,” by Jeremy Taylor in Devotional Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith.
Behind the Story
When Paul wrote that Jesus “emptied Himself,” he meant that Jesus left behind His position, rank, and privilege to take on human form. Because He became flesh, Jesus faced temptation; experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and pain; endured an excruciating death on the cross. Jesus did for us all of this for us.
The Point
Jesus set aside the glories He rightfully deserved to become like us. In doing so, He made a way for us to have a relationship with the Father.
Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions