THE COURAGE OF JESUS

• DAY 96
• Faith File: Jesus
• Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 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. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

‭Today, we begin a new study titled The Courage of Jesus. One thing we tend to forget as Christians is that when Jesus was on earth, he was fully human. We know that He’s the son of God. That He’s the living word, present at Creation (John 1), we know that Jesus is a body in the Trinity, He is also God.

Fully God, Fully Man

Some of us think that because He is God, that when He was on the earth, He operated only as God and not as a Man also. We’d be wrong. He walked amongst us as the son of man and son of God.

 As a human being on this earth, He had flesh just like you. He slept,  felt pain, and blood flowed through his veins, just like yours. And if you don’t understand this on a fundamental level, it’s going to be difficult for you to understand that when He operated as a man, He had to practice the same principles that we practice in order to live a life of faith and courage. 

And we will be examining His human experience here on earth and try to see what we can learn from His sojourn amongst us. 

In our text today we see that His first exhibition of courage and faith  was coming to earth.

The Ultimate Switcheroo

He did not think it too much to come down to earth and become a man. He stripped Himself of His high state, made Himself as nothing and took on a decayable, corruptible flesh, made from dust. Just so He could save our unworthy and undeserving souls. That is the greatest form of humility.

The worshiped became a worshiper, the prayed-to became the prayed-for. The served became a servant, the sender became the messenger. The living switched places with the dead that He might through death, bring them back to life. If that’s not humility I don’t know what is. That takes courage. That takes a kind of faith that I cannot even fathom. He had faith in the Father’s strategy and He surrendered Himself to be sent.

Throughout our study you will notice that humility is a common theme with Jesus. And we will look at more of that starting tomorrow.

Reflections 

Today, take a moment to reflect on all Jesus had to give up to be your savior. And thank Him for it. Then consider that you were worth every single event that led to His existence on earth.

Let that be your fuel to disregard fear and doubt. Your victorious life was given to you freely but it cost Jesus His life. Let that mind be in you, not to make you guilty but to make you grateful and intentional about living out your purpose. 

Shalom