Our Lord Jesus Christ, Gods eternal Son, humbled himself
by accepting a weak human nature. Christ did not give up any part of his
divinity. He never stopped being God. He remained Lord and Ruler over all.
Yet, when he became a man, he accepted the nature of a
human servant as well. He did not come as an earthly ruler or king, with the pomp and
ceremony of royalty. He did not occupy a place of honour and
prestige among humans. From the manger to the cross he walked the path of
humiliation. From the manger to the cross his nature was that of a servant.
From the manger to the cross he came to serve rather than to be served.
And as a servant he "became obedient to death."
A servant or a slave at the time of Jesus had only one duty – to obey his
master. Jesus "became obedient to
death." (See Philip 2: 6-8). He was a true servant. "My food,"
said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his
work" (John 4:34). Christ Jesus came to humble himself. Christ came to
die on the cross. Jesus saves us from death to give us life.
But Paul says, "your attitude should be the same
as that of Christ Jesus" (Phil 2: 5). To take up our own cross, is to
give Christ that service that costs time, money, work, and tears. To take up
the cross is to say "no" to selfish desire, spend time in prayer,
witness faithfully, and work diligently for the cause of Christ.
How appropriate to start a new year with the true message of the gospel! To hold onto the message that Jesus came to us, to save us
sinners! And to find inspiration from his humiliation for our sake, to humbly serve him
with all our heart, soul and mind – from the beginning to the end of this new
year given to us!
May you be blessed during 2015 when you find the real
meaning and purpose to serve Jesus and his cause in the world!
May his salvation protect you and may his servant nature
inspire you to serve sacrificially, with love!
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