Sabbath, June 21, 2008
Philippians 2:5-11
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
by Leota Stevens
In seven short verses the great outstretched canvas of God is painted with scenes of glory, humility, obedience, death and grandeur. Jesus was equal with God, yet he took on the form of humanity. He could have called legions of angels to minister to him; instead he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice on behalf of sinful man. According to this passage, if Christ is the template for our lives, we should hold tightly to the image of his obedience, humility and servitude and allow God to exalt us in the way that best pleases and honors him.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
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