Cradle to Cross
I can remember watching Let’s Make a Deal on TV as a child. I always loved to watch how the host would
come out into the audience and offer to trade cash for an object that you would
not normally carry with you. It always
amazed me someone would actually have the crazy thing the host would ask for. If they were chosen to be a contestant they
were offered one prize and could trade it for what was behind a door, an unknown.
It might be better or it might not...
I can remember saying, “Pick door number one!” as if they could actually
hear me, and they’d pick another door and get some goofy, worthless prize. They may have been holding a prize worth
thousands and they would give it up hoping for a chance at something better.
Sometimes it would be better, but other times they would have given up a great
prize for nothing. It seemed so unfair when they would give it all up for
nothing!
God did that very thing for us.
He gave it all up. He left his
kingdom, His glory, and humbled himself for us. He KNEW what He was choosing; there
wasn’t an unknown behind the door. He knew that it definitely wouldn’t be
better for him, and it would result in an agonizing death on a cross, and yet He
still came for you and for me. He gave up His riches, His glory, and His
kingdom to save you and me.
In the today’s passage Philippians 2:5-11 we read:
5
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6
Who, being in very nature or in the form of God, did not consider equality with
God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature or the form of a servant, being made in human
likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by
becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him
to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father.
Paul reminds us of what Christ did and he tells us how we should treat
others. He tells us we should have the mindset of Christ. He reminds us of how
God was humble. He came down from His
kingdom and became a servant. In the verses just before this passage he tells
us if we have been touched by what Christ did for us we should have that same
tenderness and compassion for one another.
Paul tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition but in humility
value others before ourselves looking after the interests of others. Jesus Christ set the example for all humans
by becoming one of us and showing us how to live. Even though He was innocent of sin himself, He
endured the death on the cross to take our sin away. He did this out of a love
we just cannot comprehend.
Let’s make a deal to not forget those around us less fortunate. Let’s
try to see everyone through Christ’s eyes and love like He taught us. Not looking down upon anyone and not thinking
of ourselves as better than someone else, no matter their situation or
circumstances or who they are. May we all remember the humble beginnings of
Christ and remember whose we ALL are. When Christ looks at us He doesn’t see
any difference in the rich or the poor or the color of our skin, or how big our
bank account is, He looks directly at our hearts.
Let’s make a deal not to get so caught up in all that glitters. The world we live in has made Christmas all about the materialistic things, where everyone has gotta have the latest, greatest, and BIGGEST everything. Let’s remember the greatest gift all. Praise be to God in the highest for the gift of Jesus Christ.
Oh what a day it will be when every knee shall bow and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Until that day, let’s make a deal to do our
part and let others see Christ in us so that we might help them to know Him!
Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for all
the gifts you have bestowed upon us especially the gift of our Savior. Help us to take time to read, study, and
learn from your word the way you want us to treat others. Help us to have the mindset of Christ in all
we say and do. Amen
Renee’ Currin
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