The defining foundation of Christianity is an outrageous claim. It is the claim that God became a human being in the person we call Jesus Christ.
It is the assertion that St. Paul made in Philippians 2:5-8 which reads, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross” (NRSV).
This is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible, and for some, one of the most unbelievable. Most of the religious elite of Jesus’ day could not believe it. In fact, they found it blasphemous that any man could claim to be God.
Not only did the divine Son of God willingly take on human flesh, but He also considered Himself a servant and a slave of the people around Him. He put on a towel and washed His disciples’ feet, giving them an example of how they should serve each other because of their love for one another. He claimed no rights to special treatment but lived a humble life of serving those around Him. He used His divine power not to promote Himself, but to help those around Him.
The devil kept going to Him and saying that if He was the Son of God, then He should use His divine power to feed, honor, and assert Himself as God’s Son (Matthew 4:1-10). Yet He chose not to honor Himself with his divinity, but to use the power of love and servanthood to bring redemption to us.
Not only did He consider Himself a servant, but He subjected Himself to injustice, persecution, extreme suffering, and death. He did not consider Himself higher than others, though He knew Himself to be the great “I Am.” Instead of demanding others sacrifice themselves to honor Him, He gave Himself as an offering for others that they might find life. He willingly was subject to every human hardship and trial.
In our day of people exalting themselves, we find it hard to believe that God chose to be one who was despised by others. One of His followers betrayed Him, another denied Him, and most of the remaining ones deserted him. The religious leaders of the day, instead of honoring him, tortured Him, mocked Him, and had Him crucified. The political and military power of the day carried out the crucifixion. It is unfathomable that the eternal, all-powerful God became a weak slave who willingly submitted to the shame and pain of rejection, injustice, oppression, and execution.
The Son of God took on human form. Can we believe this crazy assertion? If we believe, then our lives will be transformed. Instead of having to strive for importance, we can serve Jesus as our Master because of our knowledge of His unfathomable love for us. We can learn to love others the way that Jesus loved His disciples and the way that He loves each of us now.
We don’t have to be chained to selfish ambition and conceit; we can be set free to serve with joy. We can be concerned about the welfare of others, not just ourselves. Many people live their lives trying to fill an empty spot inside of themselves, but believers realize that only the love of God can fill that empty spot.
Should honor or importance in life come our way, we know that is not what we are living for. We are living for something and Someone greater than ourselves. If we can believe God was found in human form, perhaps we can believe that we humans can be transformed from our corruption and sin into reflections of the purity and love of the divine.
Dr. Dan Darby is a retired United Methodist pastor.
