Day 20 · Week 3
Passage: Philippians 2:5–8; 2 Corinthians 8:9
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:3
2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
When Jesus tells us that the poor in spirit are blessed, He is not speaking as a distant King who knows nothing about humility.
He chose the path downward.
The Son of God did not cling to the glory and privileges of heaven. Philippians tells us that He “made himself of no reputation,” took the form of a servant, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death—even the death of the cross.
Paul describes it another way: “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.”
Jesus did not become spiritually sinful or deficient. But He willingly laid aside privilege, entered our broken world, depended upon His Father, served others, and gave Himself for us.
That means humility is not merely something Jesus commands. It is something we see in Jesus Himself.
At the cross, we also discover why the poor in spirit have hope. Our salvation does not depend upon how much spiritual wealth we can bring to God. It depends upon what Christ has done.
He became poor for us so that, in Him, we might receive riches we could never earn.
When we admit our need, we are not moving away from Jesus. We are coming to the very Savior who humbled Himself to meet that need.
What does Jesus' willingness to humble Himself teach us about God's character?
Our hope is not that we have enough to offer Jesus. Our hope is that Jesus has given Himself for us.
Thank Jesus for leaving heaven, becoming a servant, and giving His life for us. Ask Him to form His humility in your family.