“He humbled Himself” (Phil. ii. 8).
One of the hardest things for a lofty and superior nature is to be under
authority, to renounce his own will, and to take a place of subjection.
But Christ took upon Him the form of a servant, gave up His independence,
His right to please Himself, His liberty of choice, and after having from
eternal ages known only to command, gave Himself up only to obey. I have
seen occasionally the man who was once a wealthy employer a clerk in the
same store. It was not an easy or graceful position, I assure you. But
Jesus was such a perfect servant that His Father said: “Behold, My Servant
in whom My soul delighteth.” All His life His watchword was, “The Son of
Man came to minister.” “I am among you as He that doth serve.” “I can do
nothing of Myself.” “Not My will, but Thine, be done.” Have you, beloved,
learned the servant’s place?
And once more, “He became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross.” His life was all a dying, and at last He gave all up to death, and
also shame, the death of crucifixion. This last was the consummation of
His love.