May 16

He made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself. Philippians 2:7. 8.

According to His human nature, Christ did not always and not fully use the divine majesty communicated to His human nature. "He humbled Himself and became obedient." His whole life on earth was one continual self-denial. As a child He grew in stature and in knowledge. That is as much a revelation as any other. Nor does it detract from a true and proper conception of divinity. For if one would make himself like unto his brethren, he should begin where they began, and in everything but sin should rise with them, step by step, all the way up. Following Christ from His childhood on, we find that He lived a hard life. Poverty and hardships manifold were His lot until His death upon the cross. Persecuted by King Herod, the Christ-child had to flee to Egypt.

Later on His home was in Nazareth, a poor, despised village, where He served His foster-father, a poor carpenter. His lot was a hard one; He led the strenuous life of a poor workingman; He was brought up under poor and stressed circumstances. And He remained poor.

At the very beginning of His public ministry He was tempted by Satan, and throughout the following three years He was hated, despised, and persecuted by His own people. He humbled Himself by taking upon Himself the form of a servant. He came to serve us. He was equal with God, but did not make a boast, a display, of it; He did not manifest it at all times as He might have done. He humbled Himself. Voluntarily, for our sakes, He

forewent high stations and honors which He rightfully might have claimed and enjoyed, being equal with God, very God Himself.

Ponder, dear Christian, how much your beloved Savior has endured for you; how much He has suffered to redeem you, a lost and condemned creature! Thank Him for His life of deep humiliation and permit Him to draw you unto Himself; and then cling to Him in life and in death.

Prayer.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Son of the living God, we thank Thee that Thou didst submit to the hardships and humiliations of human life, to endure hunger and thirst, to go about as a king in the guise of a beggar. Let our hearts be filled with wonder and admiration at Thy unspeakable love to us poor sinners. Grant us grace to believe firmly that by Thy obedience Thou hast delivered us from the wrath of God and by Thy humiliation hast raised us to a high estate. Let this mind be in us which was in Thee, that we ever follow Thee in sincere humility, obedience, and patience. Amen.

As His coming was in peace, Noiseless, full of gentleness. Let the same mind be in me That was ever found in Thee.