Philippians 2:6-8 - Homilies By V. Hutton

The humiliation of Christ.

I. THE HEIGHT FROM WHICH HE . CAME IS THE MEASURE OF THE DEPTH TO WHICH HE DESCENDED . He was for ever "in the form of God;" i.e. with the essential nature of God (cf. John 13:3 , John 13:4 ).

II. HIS HUMILIATION WAS NO LOSS OF GLORY OR ESSENTIAL WORTH . He is for ever in the form of God; this he could not renounce. He laid aside for a time his external equality with God. This he considered not to be a possession of any great importance. How contrary to ordinary human ideas, which "catch at" anything which confers external honor!! But to catch at an external resemblance argues that we do not possess the essential likeness. Only the truly great can afford to humble themselves.

III. HIS HUMILIATION A REALITY . He takes the" form of a servant;" i.e. he actually becomes such, as he was actually in the "form of God." He assumes also the "likeness of a man," becoming in appearance, as in reality, one of ourselves.

IV. HE ACCEPTS THE TRUE POSITION OF MAN , WHICH IS THAT OF OBEDIENCE , This is man's truest and essential glory. The true man cannot live any other life than that of obedience and service. His obedience is to death, even to a death of shame, if such is required of him. Our glory is to accept whatever may be the will of God for us.—V.W.H.