Humility is difficult, and can be inconvenient. As my husband and I queued to enter the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, I thought how fitting it was to see our fellow clergy and their spouses crouching low to enter. Later I learnt that this entrance is called the “door of humility”, and at 1.2 meters high, it reminds pilgrims that Jesus emptied himself as he took on the form of a human being. I hoped that these church leaders, when they returned home to Britain, would continue in this humble posture while following their Saviour.
Writing from prison, the apostle Paul addresses this theme as he encourages the church at Philippi to emulate Christ. He recites what we think is an ancient hymn, lifting Jesus up as the supreme example of humility: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6–7). Paul calls his fellow believers to place others’ needs before their own (vv. 3–4).
Through His Holy Spirit, God helps us to love others, to “do nothing out of selfish ambition” (v. 3). He enables us to crouch low as we acknowledge that Jesus became a Man so that He could serve and save us.
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
When has someone you respect served you, and how did that affect you? How can you embrace the humility of Christ today?
Saving Jesus, thank You for crouching low. You bring me new life because You made Yourself nothing for my sake.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Philippians 2:5-11 describes what Jesus gave up by coming to earth and becoming a man, and it’s spawned much debate over the centuries. Verse 6 affirms that prior to His incarnation, Christ was equal to the Father in every way. But in coming to earth, He “made himself nothing” (v. 7) or “emptied Himself” (NASB) of something. The key issue is found in the word emptied (Greek kenoō ). Some have said that He emptied Himself of His deity, but, if so, how could His sacrifice fully atone for our sins? The most satisfying view is that He retained His deity and all His attributes but set aside the right to use those powers for His own benefit. Instead, He chose to submit to the Father’s will and purpose.
