But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men ” This passage from the Apostle Paul is best understood in the context of the preceding verse, which informs us: "He was like God in every way, but He did not think that His being equal with God was something to use for His own benefit. But instead, He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."
Paul's point is that Jesus was a member of the Holy Trinity-the Godhead that pre-existed us all. He was fully divine. He was "equal with God." However, when He entered mortality through the womb of His mother (Mary), He didn't use His godly status as an advantage. Rather, He chose to have a lowly birth in an inconsequential place. Rather than seeking to live like and be treated as a king, He chose to take "the form of a servant" and the "likeness of" a man, sacrificing and blessing all who would accept of His offering on their behalf.
Our verse for today not only explains the remarkable humility of Jesus, the Son of God, King of the World, and Savior of all; but it also reminds us of the example He has set for us. As Christ Himself stated: "You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them." (John 13:13-16) In other words, Jesus willingly chose to make Himself "of no reputation" and to be "a servant" of all. As Christians, He invites us to do the same. Actually, He commands us to do the same! Rather than seeking honors and praise, we should humbly serve others in His likeness, and concern ourselves with how holy we can become rather than how honored we can be. While none of us will be saved by our own works, those truly converted to Christ seek constantly to be like Him, and humility is a central component to living like Christ.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
