“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”– Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV)

Just how much did the incarnation cost?
What did it take for Jesus to descend from heaven, leaving behind his true throne and perfect reign to not only take on the form of a mere mortal, but allow himself to be tortured, humiliated, and ultimately killed by those he came to save?The Almighty God surrendered his power and became a completely dependent infant.

The source of all wisdom had to grow and learn like any other child.

The King of Kings submitted himself to the temporary rule of those he created.

The friend of sinners was betrayed by his closest confidants.

The servant Savior was spat on and mocked.

The one who spoke all things into existence was silent like a lamb led to the slaughter.

The author of life subjected himself willingly to death.

It didn’t have to be this way. He could have come down as a grown man ready to exercise his authority on the earth. He could have done away with all manner of government and placed himself on his rightful throne. He could have chosen to only surround himself with those he knew wouldn’t ever harm or abandon him. He could have publicly slandered those who challenged him during his ministry. He could have defended himself while on trial and put those accusing him to shame. He could have let himself right off of that cross and wiped out everyone involved. He could have changed everything in an instant–indeed, he had the right to do all this and more…but he didn’t.

So what motivated him to subject himself to such things and continue to endure them to the end?

“…For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV)

“Jesus said, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.'” (John 10:10, ESV)

“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8, ESV)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Out of his love and his obedience to the Father, he humbled himself in all of these ways for you and for me. The glory of God displayed in the reconciliation of His children to Himself was Christ’s great reward for his sacrifice. He made a way for those who would trust in his blood to not only be made right with God but also be filled with his Spirit, that we might be set free from power of sin. He showed us how true life, joy, and freedom are ultimately found in humility and obedience. If it was the path that Jesus chose, how much more essential of a path must it be for us to walk in his footsteps.

Theologian Thomas Merton wrote, “When humility delivers a man from attachment to his own works and his own reputation, he discovers that perfect joy is possible only when we have completely forgotten ourselves. And it is only when we pay no more attention to our own deeds and our own reputation and our own excellence that we are at last completely free to serve God in perfection for His own sake alone.”

Take some time to contemplate these questions after rereading those first few verses from Philippians 2 again—

What motivates your good deeds? Are you being led by the flesh for selfish gain or by the Spirit for God’s glory?

What do you feel like may be keeping you from putting the interests of others in your life first?

In what ways do you find yourself acting in ways out of selfish ambition or vain conceit?

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16, NIV)