Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped… —Philippians 2:5-6.
Jesus did not cling to his heavenly glory but surrendered it to save us. He was born in a stable, made his first bed in a manger, and was welcomed to this world by lowly shepherds. His adoptive dad, Joseph, had to flee to Egypt with Mary to protect young Jesus. The Lord made his boyhood home in despised Nazareth, apprenticing in Joseph’s carpenter’s shop. Paul uses Jesus’ surrender of his heavenly glory as an example for us. Paul, God’s apostle to the nations, expended his human energy so Jesus would come alive in those who followed Jesus as Lord (Colossians 1:28-29). He reminded all disciples to focus on Jesus, to obey his teaching, and to follow his example. As we do, the Holy Spirit transforms us, with increasing likeness, into our Savior’s sacrificial character. Now, we must serve each other as Jesus served. We must think of others’ needs before our own comfort, preferences, and rights. Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection were revolutionary. Now it is our turn to join the revolution and turn our fallen world upside down — a revolution we give our lives to help come to pass!