The Suffering Servant

The boy hunting for sea shells and through away the pearl.

Worship Christ in His Simple Humanity

Verses 1-3

His birth was marked by humility. (ESV) “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

(NRSV)

How do you esteem his birth? Are you awed by the humility of the Son of God, in contrast to our own pride and self-advancement?

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The angels announced his birth to the shepherds.

Do you come to worship him for the great humility he showed in becoming identified with us?

Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Worship Christ in His Suffering Sacrificially

Verses 4-6

He did it for us, but it was not recognized.

Do you still marvel at the cross? Do you lay your hand upon your mouth and bow in worship.

Worship Christ in His Silent Obedience

Verses 7-9 - He willingly gave himself. “No man takes my life from me, I lay it down of myself.”

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

He didn’t strike back, like Peter, “ (ESV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Does his silence strike you? Does it lead you to worship?

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Sinners, wrung with true repentance, Doomed for guilt to endless pains, Justice now revokes the sentence, Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Worship Christ in His Sovereign Glory

Verses 10-12

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Though an Infant now we view Him, He shall fill His Father’s throne, Gather all the nations to Him; Every knee shall then bow down: