God, the Author, chose to show rather than tell us how far He would go to redeem His people. Consider the highest of highs, where Jesus came from, and the lowest of lows, where he descended to lay His head in a pile of straw. Josiah Queen sings about this in his song, “lowest of lows.” This sent me to explore Scriptures that detail Jesus went to humble Himself and why.
We’re going to spend some time on a letter from Paul. But don’t worry. We’ll swing back into the Christmas story in Matthew.
In this episode, I discuss the following:
Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Reading in context
- Asking questions of the text
- Comparing translations
- Observing repeated themes
- Connecting passages across Scripture
- Meditating on key verses
- Sharing with a friend
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Exploring the Incarnation of Christ
- Understanding the humility of Christ as described in Philippians 2:5-11.
- Comparing translations of Philippians 2:7 to explore the meaning of Jesus “emptying Himself.”
- Examining the biblical doctrine of the incarnation and its importance in our faith.
- Refuting common misunderstandings about Christ setting aside His divinity.
- Recognizing the paradox of Jesus as both servant and King.
Scripture References:
- Colossians 1:16-17 – Jesus as Creator and Sustainer of all things.
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 – Jesus as the source and purpose of our existence.
- Philippians 2:5-11 – Christ’s example of humility and obedience.
- Matthew 2:1-16 – The earthly implications of Christ’s kingship.
Key Observations:
- Jesus, fully God and fully man, chose humility by becoming a servant.
- The incarnation demonstrates an “upside-down kingdom,” where the King comes as the lowest of lows.
- Philippians 2 challenges believers to adopt the mindset of Christ – selflessness, humility, and obedience.
Theology in Focus
- What does it mean that Jesus “emptied Himself”?
- Diving into multiple translations and connecting them with Scripture to reveal that Jesus did not cease to be God but set aside His divine privileges to serve and save.
- The significance of accurate doctrine: Why understanding the incarnation matters for our faith.
Application:
- Reflecting on Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
- Living a life of significance by reflecting Christ’s humility and prioritizing others’ needs.
Connecting the Dots:
- Revisiting the Christmas story in Matthew 1-2 to see the humble arrival of the King of Kings.
- Drawing parallels between the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth and the wise men’s worship with Philippians 2:9-11: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.”
- Exploring the contrast between Herod’s self-serving ambition and Christ’s self-emptying humility.
Illustration:
- Sharing Søren Kierkegaard’s parable of the king and the maiden to illustrate why Jesus came in humility – to invite us into a relationship based on love, not fear.
Let’s adore Emmanuel – God with us – and worship Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do.
Enjoy the official lyric video below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – New Release Today Link
- The King and the Maiden By Søren Kierkegaard – ReadingTheology.com article
- Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my all-time favorite Bible resources – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Read Matthew’s account of the birth of Christ in Matthew 1-2. Then read Paul’s letter to the Philippians and circle back to Philippians 2 to shore up your doctrine — your set of beliefs — about Christ. Meditate on what God really did, and in response, bend your knee and raise your voice in adoration for the God who traded His throne and came to earth for us — the lowest of lows.
