He humbled Himself - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation.
Philippians 2:5 - 7

He humbled Himself
How easily we express these solemn words: "Christ Jesus made himself of no reputation" or more accurately translated "emptied Himself". Are we really aware of what that meant for the Son of God? In Haggai's prophecy the LORD says: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine" (ch. 2, v. 8). Yet; as the humble, dependent Man, He did not even possess sufficient money to pay the Jewish temple tax.

In order to make it clear to His inquirers that they should pay the state the taxes due as well as giving God the honour He deserved, He had to ask: "Show me a denarius!" (Luke 20, 24). He had none. He who was exceedingly rich, became poor for our sakes.

As the Lord of the Old Testament He said: "Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50, 10). But He had to borrow an ass to enter Jerusalem on it.

He had all the hosts of heaven at His disposal. And when the armed crowd came from the leaders to arrest Him in the garden of Gethsemane, He could easily have requested twelve legions of angels to defend Him, but He did not. He allowed Himself to be bound and led away captive. "He made Himself of no reputation".

We do read that angels ministered to Him in the wilderness, while an angel appeared to strengthen Him in the garden of Gethsemane. At the cross, however, no-one came to His aid. He accomplished the great work of redemption alone.