“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
Philippians 2:5–11 reveals the heart of Christ: the One who was equal with God chose to humble Himself, took the form of a servant, endured the cross, and was exalted by the Father above every name.
The Apostle Paul tells us that Christ Jesus, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:6).
The Lord Jesus did not begin His existence in Bethlehem, Bethlehem was not the beginning of Christ. He came from glory. The One who lay in a manger was the One through whom all things were created.
The Apostle John declares: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). And: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
The Creator who spoke light into existence, shaped the heavens, and receives the worship of angels humbled Himself to become a servant and endure the piercing darkness of the cross.
Philippians 2:7 says: “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”
True greatness is not about status or power, but about humility, serving others, and obeying God.
True greatness is demonstrated not by being served or claiming glory, but by humbling oneself to serve others and give one’s life as a ransom, just as Jesus Christ did.
Philippians 2:8 says: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself.” He humbled Himself. Nobody forced Him. Love led Him. He knew what awaited Him. He knew about rejection. He knew about betrayal. He knew about the scourging. He knew about the crown of thorns. He knew about the nails. He knew about Calvary. And yet He continued.
Why? Because He loved us.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
At the cross, we see the terrible seriousness of sin, but we also see the immeasurable greatness of God’s love. The cross says to the sinner: “Your sin is serious.” But the cross also says: “You are loved.”
He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
True Christian humility demands active obedience to God, calling followers to surrender their pride, plans, comfort, and reputation just as the Lord Jesus did all the way to the cross.
But the example of Christ stands before us: Obedience to God must be greater than our desire for comfort. The Lord Jesus Christ prayed in Gethsemane “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
The Cross was not the end. Human eyes could look at Calvary and see defeat. But heaven saw obedience. The grave appeared to be the end. But resurrection was coming. The cross looked like humiliation. But exaltation was coming.
Philippians 2:9 declares: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”
God sees and remembers every act of humble, unseen obedience, and He will ultimately exalt those whom the world overlooks.
The Lord Jesus taught: “Whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
Philippians 2:10–11 gives us one of the most majestic declarations in Scripture: “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.”
One day, every person and power in all creation will bow and confess that Lord Jesus Christ is the one true King.
Despite the world’s rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, His unshakable lordship calls us not just to admire Him, but to surrender our lives and follow His example of humility, love, and obedience.
The Christian life is not simply saying: “Jesus is Lord.” It is allowing the Lord Jesus to become the pattern of our lives. In moments of pride, hurt, or hardship, looking to Christ provides the ultimate pattern for humility, obedience, and endurance.
He descended before He was exalted. He served before He was glorified. He suffered before He was crowned. He obeyed before the Father highly exalted Him.
The Apostle Paul outlines the ultimate trajectory of Jesus Christ, who descended from divine glory to the humility of the cross before being exalted to everlasting Lordship over all creation.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: He is not merely a teacher. He is not merely a prophet. He is not merely an example. He is Lord. The One who humbled Himself will reign forever. The One who wore the crown of thorns will wear the crown of glory. The One who was rejected by men will be confessed by every tongue. The One whose hands were pierced will rule with all authority.
Let Christ’s mind, heart, humility, obedience, and love shape your thoughts, desires, relationships, decisions, and actions.
Your prayers, tears, and quiet service are never wasted because God sees everything. Keep serving, obeying, and looking to Jesus. The Christ who humbled Himself is now highly exalted and He sees your faithfulness.
And the day is coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
