“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8)
Humility doesn’t come any more shocking than this. First, the Creator of the universe refuses to demand His right to be treated as God. Instead, He humbles himself by becoming stuck in time, first as a baby human—fully human, a servant down to His own human DNA. He grew, obedient to time, waiting for the hours and days and years to pass like every other human must. Finally, this passage tells us God bowed so low as to obey even death.
Death — the consequence for Adam’s sin — “for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Now perfect and humble Jesus Himself obeys the consequence for sin to spare all of Adam’s believing children. And not an easy death, either. Not a noble, kingly death. Not death “with his boots on” in the heat of battle or “passing in his sleep” to avoid the pain.
This was death at it’s wickedest — a death so cruel the Romans would not allow the worst Roman citizens to suffer through it. A death of shame. A death that invited mocking and spittle. How: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Think: Why would God allow His only Son to suffer by obeying such an ugly death?
Pray: Thank God for Jesus’ enormous humility to lower Himself to the point where He could pay the penalty for your sin.
Do: Look up the definition of humility in a dictionary and write it out word-for-word while thinking about this verse.