God's Humiliation

The Christmas Story (most know) includes THE INCARNATION - Matt. 1:22-23  - Emmanuel - God with us
On one hand = great mystery - 1 Tim. 3:16 - beyond our comprehension
However, also = basic orthodoxy

Of necessity .. with the Incarnation (God in flesh comes God's Humiliation - He lowered Himself to become human.
This = difficult to define because synonyms for humble are mostly negative!! 
Examples:  on one hand humble can be:  modest, unpretentious, unpresuming, without arrogance, meek, mild, serviant
However, mostly used as:  plain, common, inferior - low birth, rank, apologetic, regretful, trivial, ignoble

Verb form "humiliate" = mortify, bring down, demean, belittle, deflate, degrade
Noun form "humiliation" = abasement, depreciation
Noun form "humility" = lowliness, timidity, passiveness

But in the New Testament - God's humiliation manifests His greatness and glory!! - Phil. 2:5-11
He "emptied" Himself of status, privilege, benefits, AND ..
1) became Man
2) became Servant
3)  became Sacrifice  
from pinnacle to pit

NOTE:  1)  this = 'Self humiliation - nobody ever could or would be able to humble God.  The cross did not humble Christ.  He chose to do it Himself.
             2)  Resulting in Divine Exaltation

APPLICATION:

Paul writes this for 2 reasons: 
#1.  To give Christ recognition and praise due Him for this.
*#2.  to admonish, challenge us to do likewise
Phil. 2:5  Phil. 2:3-5 - our attitude should be the same as Christ - self-humbling to help others

Look at:  1)  Jesus' teachings - Matt. 20:24-28
               2)  Jesus' example - John 13:1-5, 12-16
               3)  Jesus' promise - John 13:17 - not bless if you know them, but if you do them.

*this = a hard thing!!!  Easy enough short term, individual acts.  However, extremely  difficult long term, continual basis, Lifestyle.

BUT, it = 1)  distinctly Christian - John 13:34-35 - "love" expressed how??  Answer:  in actions!  Example:  Good Samaritan - Christ willing to serve even to point of sacrifice.
It is to be a clear distinction of Christian life.

               2)  Socially beneficial - might questions Jesus' sanity in doing this... But, nobody questioned His IMPACT!!
             
              3)  Externally effective - Make an Eternal Difference when we serve in the name of Christ and power of Christ. -  1 Pet. 4:10

Re-emphasize - this = self humility and DIVINE exaltation. 
James 4:10 - are called to this, but, to humble self not others.

So... question?  does Jesus call His disciples to this?
        answer:  Yes, But, st He calls them to be disciples!!
Example:  "feed my sheep" is preceded by "do you love Me?"