The Vision (2.27.26): The Mystery of Redemption

 

Image: Winter sunset. North Garden, Virginia. February 2026.

Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Philippians 2:5-8.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Philippians 2:5-11 is known as the Christ Hymn. Paul begins by urging the Philippians: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (v. 5). He wants them to follow the model of Christ in humility.

He describes first the humiliation of Christ (vv. 6-8) and then the exaltation of Christ (vv. 9-11).

With respect to his humiliation (vv.6-8), Paul reveals four mysteries:

First, he addresses the mystery of Christ’s true divinity. He was “in the form [morphe] of God” (v. 6).

Second, he addresses the mystery of Christ’s true humanity. He “took upon him the form [morphe] of a servant [doulos, a slave], and was made in the likeness of men” (v. 7).

Third, he addresses the mystery of Christ’s incarnation: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself” (v. 8a).

Finally, Paul addresses the mystery of redemption. Christ “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (v. 8b).

With God there is but one will. There are three persons in the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), but there are not three wills. As true God, Christ’s divine will was one with that of the Father and the Spirit. As true man, Christ also had a human will, which was always obedient to the divine will. This is why he prayed in the garden, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

That last statement in v. 8, “even the death of the cross,” is a reminder or how terrible a death this was. Crucifixion was a shameful death. It was the death of slaves and criminals. It was excruciatingly painful and humiliating.

It had to be this sort of death in order justly to illustrate the magnitude of what God has done for us in Christ.

The one who was in the form of God took on the form of a servant and as a true man was obedient to death on the cross to save his people from their sins.

Thanks be to God!

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle