Taking The Form of a Servant

If you were given the choice to be born into a royal family or to be born a servant, which would you choose? If we’re honest, I think most of us would choose royalty because they hold positions of privilege, power, and status. So why did Jesus, the one person who has more authority than anyone in history choose to come as a servant? He could’ve come as a warrior king like everyone expected of the Messiah. 

Above All Else

Jesus didn’t derive his value and worth from his status and power. He valued his relationship with his Father above all else. In humility, Jesus took the form of a man, coming to us as a vulnerable baby. He chose to be a servant, who had no worldly power or privilege. Jesus emptied himself of all significance and gave up all rights, in obedience to the Father, so he could eventually be the living sacrifice for our sins.  

For years, I struggled with feelings of worthlessness and attempted to mitigate them by striving to achieve recognition in my work and through serving in the church. Thankfully, God allowed me to hit rock bottom by emptying me of all power and authority as a way to rebuild my heart. I realized then that people, positions, and achievements can’t provide my worth and identity—only Jesus can. 

Emptied of All Authority

I desperately want to follow Jesus’ example of humility, and I think we can see Paul did, too. In writing the letter to the Philippians, while in prison in Rome, he refers to himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. He is trying to encourage the church during the time of Emperor Nero, who was using his power and privilege to humiliate, betray, and murder Christ followers. Paul writes that Jesus loves us so much that he willingly emptied himself of all authority, prestige, and recognition…taking the form of a servant. 

When the Lord emptied me of everything, it allowed me to recognize the significance of Jesus’ servant leadership. I began to serve from God’s approval and stopped serving for the recognition and approval of others. I want people to see God’s power, not my own. It is amazing to watch what God will do when you put others first and empower them to lead others to his love. Let’s share with others the Good News of a King who would humble himself by being born in the likeness of man to be a relatable and visible image of our invisible God. 

Reflect:
How can you humble yourself and share the Good News by being an example of Christ’s love to others?