Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8 NIV
Consider for just a minute all that Jesus gave up when He chose to enter humanity as a newborn baby.
He who spoke the world into existence traded His voice of authority for a coo or a cry.
He who fed the birds of the air would now be dependent upon Mary for his next meal.
He who owned the cattle on a thousand hills would now own nothing.
He who was omnipresent would have to figure out how to crawl then walk one step at at time.
He who was omniscient would need to learn how to hold a spoon.
He who was omnipotent would subject himself to a mom and a dad, to governors and centurions.
He who needed no sleep would now know weariness, fatigue and exhaustion.
He who created the human body would now experience physical pain.
He who is eternal would now experience death.
He who heard the prayers of all mankind would now need to rise up early and pray.
He who had all power over darkness would now abide in the domain of the prince of this world.
He who set the boundaries on Satan’s actions would now battle the same temptations as you and I.
When we think about what it cost Jesus to buy our salvation we usually think of Calvary, but the price He paid goes far beyond the pain he endured on the cross. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords set aside all His rights and all His power and made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. He set it all aside and took on flesh because he valued you and I above Himself and put our interests above His own. That’s how much He loves us!
What is He asking you to give up for Him today? How does it compare to what He gave up for you? Will you do it?