Perspective: WK6 - MON
Humility
Philippians 2:6-8
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
In this, our final week’s study of the life of Joseph, we will revisit each of the previous weeks and notice the face of Jesus reflected in these stories. At times, we will hear echoes of His character and see foreshadowing of His sacrifice. Today, we highlight the contrast between Christ’s humility and the human arrogance of Joseph’s early days.
Genesis 37 portrays Joseph as a young man grasping for credibility, stepping on his brothers' reputations to elevate his own. He is the favored son who plays to his father’s emotions at the expense of others, willing to sacrifice character on the altar of image-building. Joseph allows hostility to grow rather than sacrifice his position of power.
Notice the difference in how Jesus behaves. First, He deserved the power, fame, and position. Yet He set them aside in His efforts to save us. “He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7). As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”
Secondly, Jesus devotes all His power and energy to the service of others. He trades the crowds' adulation for a crown of thorns. He refuses a political throne and chooses death on the cross. Jesus trades His freedom for ours, His life for ours. He chooses not to save Himself. Instead, He saves me.
And here is the ultimate miracle. Not only does Jesus present this bold contrast to the prideful privilege of Joseph’s early years, but embedded in that contrast is the healing required to erase the hostilities our selfishness creates. As Ephesians 2 says:
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (v14)
Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. (v16)
Jesus is the antidote to my pride and the hostility it breeds. He brings healing to our wounds, comfort in our sorrows, forgiveness for our sins, and belonging amid our fractured relationships. Jesus is the answer to the big questions in my life.
Philippians 2:6-8
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
In this, our final week’s study of the life of Joseph, we will revisit each of the previous weeks and notice the face of Jesus reflected in these stories. At times, we will hear echoes of His character and see foreshadowing of His sacrifice. Today, we highlight the contrast between Christ’s humility and the human arrogance of Joseph’s early days.
Genesis 37 portrays Joseph as a young man grasping for credibility, stepping on his brothers' reputations to elevate his own. He is the favored son who plays to his father’s emotions at the expense of others, willing to sacrifice character on the altar of image-building. Joseph allows hostility to grow rather than sacrifice his position of power.
Notice the difference in how Jesus behaves. First, He deserved the power, fame, and position. Yet He set them aside in His efforts to save us. “He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7). As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”
Secondly, Jesus devotes all His power and energy to the service of others. He trades the crowds' adulation for a crown of thorns. He refuses a political throne and chooses death on the cross. Jesus trades His freedom for ours, His life for ours. He chooses not to save Himself. Instead, He saves me.
And here is the ultimate miracle. Not only does Jesus present this bold contrast to the prideful privilege of Joseph’s early years, but embedded in that contrast is the healing required to erase the hostilities our selfishness creates. As Ephesians 2 says:
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (v14)
Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. (v16)
Jesus is the antidote to my pride and the hostility it breeds. He brings healing to our wounds, comfort in our sorrows, forgiveness for our sins, and belonging amid our fractured relationships. Jesus is the answer to the big questions in my life.
- What physical injury, large or small, have you recently experienced? What was it, and how have you recovered?
- Who is currently suffering from something you could pray for? What would you like to say to Jesus about them?
- What strained relationship do you have that needs healing? How could Jesus help you with it?
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