MONDAY April 6, 2020
BONDSERVANT
…who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:6-7
The Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, reveals the person of Christ. The Bible tells us of His heavenly origin, His miraculous birth, His humanity, and His mission to willingly save the lost. John 1:1-3 reveals Jesus’ preexistence. He is the Word, the One who was with God in the beginning. Notice, as God, Jesus is Creator:
In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Luke 1:35, an angel told Mary of Jesus’ miraculous birth:
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
What is so incredible is that Jesus, “being in the form of God,” was willing to become a Man––God incarnate––deity wrapped in human flesh, “…coming in the likeness of men.” Notice the word bondservant; this word literally means “slave.” Jesus became a willing Servant to Mankind. Jesus told His disciples the mission He had come to fulfill: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The Apostle Paul understood his call. He began the book of Philippians with a greeting: Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ…. He was a servant, a slave of Christ. Christians must have the same mindset. Have you grasped the truth that we too are bondservants, called to serve others?
He who came in humility and shame will return in spectacular magnificence.
~John R. W. Stott~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!