MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN!

MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN!

Phil 2:6-7 KJV

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

          This portion of Scripture explains Christmas. When Jesus was still fully in the form of God a plan was devised to redeem fallen man. Jesus would set aside certain prerogatives of divinity in order to assume the form of a slave, the lowest of humans. He would be born to a virgin girl and ultimately suffer death on the cross.

          In heaven Jesus was surrounded by adoring angels on earth he was born in the midst of barn animals. In heaven he was accustomed to glories and riches but he was laid on a bed of straw in a feeding trough. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. (2 Cor 8:9)

          In life he said he had no place to lay his head. When he had to pay taxes he told Peter to catch a fish and find a coin in the fish’s mouth. When he sent out his disciples he told them to take nothing but a staff, to enter a home when invited and to eat whatever was offered. (See Mark 6:7-9)

          God hidden in human flesh kept silent in the straw and submitted himself to the humiliation of physical circumstances. The bread of life nursed at his young mother’s breast and the God of all comfort was lulled by her song. Softly and sweetly she sings: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” He was made in the likeness of men that we might be made in the likeness of God.

Almighty God who hid in baby’s flesh, dwell with us today. Send thy light into our dark places. Set bread before the hungry. Be a healer to the sick and a friend to the lonely. Receive our feeble attempts at worship. AMEN