June 7 - Heaven-TV
June 7
Heaven-TV
Bible Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
5Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
IF HEAVEN HAD (or needed) a television station, it would have made the eleven o'clock news. In fact, it would have been the lead story. No, it would have been the only story.
Newscaster peers into the camera, stone-faced.
"Today, heaven announced shocking plans for the Son of the Highest to leave His heavenly throne and descend to earth.... More after these messages!"
Newscaster waits for red light on camera to go out, then turns and shouts into the darkness behind the studio lights.
"This can't be right! Are you sure you got the story right, Rafe?"
Voice flows from speakers above newscaster's head.
"That's the story," he answers. "He's going to be born as a baby!"
"A baby! You mean a ... a ... a human baby?"
"You got it. He's gonna be born in a stable, grow up in a backwater town. He's gonna have to learn to walk, learn to talk, even eat what they eat."
"Good heavens!" the newscaster says. "You can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid I am--even lima beans and brussels sprouts. He'll live there thirty-some years, then He'll suffer and die--an ugly, painful death—and--"
"No!" the newscaster covers his ears with his hands and shouts, "I can't listen! I can't! He's the King of Glory, Rafe! The King of Glory!"
"I know," the voice in the speakers answers. "It's humiliating."
Director waves at the newscaster and sticks a hand up.
"We're back from break in five . . . four . . . three . . . two ..."
The newscaster swallows hard, then flashes an angelic smile.
"Welcome back," he says. "Our top story ..."
Of course, heaven doesn't have a television station--as far as we know! But for Jesus, who is God, to come to earth, be born a child, become a man and suffer and die a hideous death is the ultimate act of humility. He humbled himself, not once, but many times, in order to save you and me. This act reveals why God would command humility and why he values humility--because He humbled Himself! He set aside His power and majesty as God and became a man, giving us the ultimate model of humility.
REFLECT: Philippians 2:5 says, "Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had." What attitude is that? Is your attitude like Christ's (that is, humble)? Are your actions like Christ's? Are there any attitudes or actions you need God's help in ending or correcting? If so, ask Him to help you.
ACT: How many times does today's Bible reading use a word or phrase that refers to Christ's humbling Himself? Underline them in your Bible.
PRAY: "Father God, give me Christ's humble attitude."