Philippians 2:7,8 Jesus made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Shoppers hurry out into the December chill, hear the Salvation Army bell ring, and pause to drop change into the red kettle. Who doesn’t share with the poor from time to time?

But Jesus became poor?

A CEO on his morning commute passes a mother and her boy broken down on the shoulder. He pulls over, rolls up the sleeves of his neatly pressed shirt, loosens his tie, and begins loosening the lug nuts on her flat tire. What leader doesn’t get hands dirty and serve from time to time?

But Jesus became a servant?

The baby came and, to her surprise, she didn’t want to be an accountant anymore. It would be hard financially, and what would her friends think, but… Who hasn’t sacrificed for love from time to time?

But Jesus became sacrifice?

From more to less. Served to service. From honor to degradation. From eternal to time-bound. God to flesh. Heaven to earth.

Is it possible that the descending way of Jesus might also be God’s way for me?

I’m thankful for the Josephs who govern from pharaoh’s side for the good of the masses, for the Esthers who influence the influencers and change the trajectory of history, for the “rock stars” of the faith who speak and sing and write to millions…

But God also calls many to step down, leave behind, earn less, influence fewer – to follow Jesus’ way of downward mobility.

Reflection

• In what ways might God be calling me downward?

Our Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, great are you. We ask that your kingdom would come as your will is done in us and through us all around us as it is done in heaven.

Place us today where we must be to do your will. Places of prestige or power. Places of anonymity and following. In the exciting or the mundane – lead us today.

And we will follow.

Amen.