The Humbled Christ

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).

When Jesus took on a human form, He then humbled Himself to accomplish that task for which He had come—to die for sinful humanity in order that they might have eternal life. He died a criminal’s death, but He was not a criminal. He took on that humiliation so that we might be saved.

But why did Jesus have to become human and have to die? A holy God cannot overlook sin. The sinfulness of humanity had to be punished. In the Old Testament, God required His people to sacrifice animals (“perfect” animals, healthy and whole) to atone for their sins. The costly sacrifice of an animal’s life impressed upon the sinner the seriousness of his or her sin before God. When animals’ blood was shed, God regarded the people’s faith and obedience, cleansed them, and made them ceremonially clean.

Why blood? There is no greater symbol of life than blood; blood keeps us alive. Instead of sending all humanity to eternal punishment, God took the punishment Himself (Romans 8:3). Jesus shed His blood—gave His life—for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to experience spiritual death and eternal separation from God, our Heavenly Father.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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