The Form of a Slave

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
     who, though he was in the form of God,
         did not regard equality with God
          as something to be exploited,
     but emptied himself,
         taking the form of a slave,
         being born in human likeness. Philippians 2: 5-7 NRSV

Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.

He gave up all his power and his equality with God. He became one of us. Yet he was also willing to do as God commanded, not as he wanted.

When you give up control of your own life, your own body, your own self, you become someone in the form of a slave. That is exactly what Jesus did.

However, unlike a slave with a human owner, subject to that person's whims and abuse, Jesus was a slave to God. Even though that meant he obeyed God "to the point of death," God did not forever abandon him. In fact, it was through what Jesus did in his obedience that saved all of us. What was an act of obedience or slave-like behavior became an act of ultimate love.

The good thing is that all of us who are born as humans can participate in that divine love.

God, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, help us to participate more fully in your love. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Question of the day: What actions can you take that show your slave-like obedience to God?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims