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So, if it’s not about me and it is all about Jesus, then how shall I live? Watching the life of Jesus and how He interacted with those around Him provides us with the perfect example.  Jesus, being fully man and fully God, made His dwelling among us. When we read Philippians Chapter 2, we are reminded that Jesus was fully God the entire time He was here, yet He came to serve and be served. He already knew people’s thoughts. He already knew people’s hearts. And yet, He humbled himself. He healed the sick. He cured the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. He fed the hungry. He showed mercy and kindness to those whose lives were full of sin. He experienced suffering and heartache. He experienced tragedy and triumph. He pushed back on the religious leaders and those who thought they had it together. He didn’t come to be crowned king. He didn’t come to overthrow the Roman Empire. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to die for us.

The apostle Paul continues in this passage to explain that Jesus became obedient to death—even death on the cross. When you think about it, He could have stopped it at any moment. He could have stopped time, taken the whips He was beaten with, and turned it on them. He calmed a storm with a few words so He could have said anything He wanted to show them who He was and put them in their place. He chose not to. I see that as real strength.

Final Thought:  He showed us that to live like Him is to love like Him. To love like Him is to put others first like Him. JOY in this life is Jesus – Others – You.

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