I have quoted 4 verses, but there's a lot in those verses when we take a closer look. What does verse 5 say to you? I spent a while looking at this verse and verse 5 says to me - Christ is the ultimate example of selfless humility. Examples are for us to follow - are we following the example set by Christ? Paul confirms in verse 6, that Jesus eternally has been God. He did not consider it robbery - translated a thing to be grasped at, He made himself of NO reputation. When Jesus showed his humility by his sacrifice on the cross, he didn’t do it to 'get fame'. He did it to show his love for you and me. The hymn puts it 'emptied himself of all but love' and in many ways that’s true. He didn’t step over anyone whilst here on earth, he didn’t go out to upset people, but this passage says he lowered himself, and even says lowered as a servant. As a true servant, Jesus submissively did his Father's will. This is the Christ, the Saviour of the world, and He took on the form of a servant, not only that, but came in the likeness of men. Christ became more than God in human body, but He took on all the essential attributes of humanity (see Luke 2v52, Gal 4v4, Col 1v22), even to the extent he identified with basic human needs and weaknesses. He didn’t come in the world with pomp or fanfare - he was born to a woman in a borrowed stable - that’s humility.

As I listen to the news, I hear of people getting on the Queens honours list, and being given a MBE, OBE, or CBE. Many people then begin to put the word Sir in front of theses people's names. When it comes to Christ, unfortunately not many people recognise who He is. He is the Christ. He humbled himself - I only need to read the passages of Scripture, which recalls the crucifixion to show the humility of Christ. Jesus humbled himself in that He did not demand normal human rights, but subjected himself to persecution and suffering at the hands of unbelievers. (See Isaiah 53v7, Matt 26v62, Acts 2v23)

The words in verse 8 - became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Beyond even persecution, Jesus went to the lowest point or furthest extent in his humiliation in dying as a criminal, following God's plan for Him.

The cross - (see Matt 27v29-50) even further humiliation was His because Jesus' death was not by ordinary means, but was accomplished by crucificixion - the most excruciating, most degrading form of death ever devised.

Do I need to say more? As I finish these few thoughts, the humiliation of Christ says a lot to me, and should do to you. What it meant for Christ to be humiliated, what was accomplished through the humiliation and suffering. I pray that as you have read this, you have realised what Christ went through to establish such a wonderful salvation for each one of us.