Jesus' Humiliation and Suffering

READ Hebrews 2

 Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man."

 The book of Hebrews is a book written to Jewish believers to confirm the end of Judaism and the superiority of Christ. One of the key words is "better" and is a comparative that focuses upon Christ's superiority. However, in Hebrews 2:9, Christ ranks Himself lower than the angles and joins the ranks among men, who are said to be "a little lower than the angels..." (See vs. 2:7 and Psalm 8:4-5).

 Among the billions of men who have been born WE SEE JESUS!!! He made Himself "a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death." He did so "that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Jesus, through His humiliation, took your place and mine and died on the cross that we might have everlasting forgiveness.

 Jesus is now crowned with glory and honour. Philippians 2:5-11 speak of Christ's humiliation, suffering, and exaltation as an example to you and me. Philippians 2:5-11, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

 Humbling ourselves is always something God blesses. James 4:6 reminds us that God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

 May we walk humbly before God and men. And thank God for the humility of our Saviour who tasted death for you and me. 

 Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How would you describe the superiority of Christ when compared to all others?

2.  Has Jesus always existed?  Where did He come from before coming to the earth?

3.  Jesus had to be humble to leave Heaven and come to this earth to die for our sins.  What does His humility say to you?

4.  God has now highly exalted Christ (see Philippians 2:5-11).  What does Christ’s humiliation teach you about humility?  How does God deal with humble people?