W. Frank Walton
12/18/10
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7 NKJV). How wonderful thatJesus left heaven to save us.Jesus, the Son of God, entered this world in great humility. His nursery was a barn and his crib was a “manger” (feed trough for livestock). His baby clothes were strips of rags. Why did Jesus come?
What profound condescension to our need that the Son of God, who stood at the creation of the world, would willingly come to serve our desperate plight.“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). This should impact us each day of the year!
How tremendously grateful we should be that He set the example of selfless service for us all. How do we show our appreciation? “Have this mind in you that was in Christ Jesus. although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, being made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:5-7 NASB). Jesus emptied Himself, not of His divine nature, but the voluntary non-use of His divine prerogatives. He who enjoyed the eternal adoration of the heavenly host had entered the world in the most self-deprecating of ways. He freely took on the form (Gr. morphe, essential essence) of a lowly servant. His unsullied motivation to help others was pure, unselfish love.
So, Jesus’ purpose was to serve as example to us of humble service. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45). This should impact us each day of the year!
If I am growing as a Christian, how am I concerned to rendering loving service for the needs of others (Gal. 5:6, 6:10)? We’re too often wrapped up in ourselves. Yet, Jesus’ example impels us to render the most benefit to others. Our motivation comes from Jesus’ empowering example that connects us to the giving heart of our gracious God. This should impact us each day of the year!
-W. Frank Walton