Isaiah 53:3-6:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Matthew 5:43-48: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- We can be more like Christ INSIDE AND OUT (seen and unseen parts)
- If we just practice the words of Jesus, we can have a servant’s heart
- Dying to self is what we need to fulfill the purposes of Jesus for our lives
- The Bible proclaims to put to death our selfish desires
- Put off the old and put on the new
Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
- Keep crucifying sinful desires
- For many, it may be easier said than done
- But we have to power of the Holy Spirit to help us
“Put on” the new person
Eph 4:22-24: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
- Our old thoughts and attitudes have to be renewed
- An ongoing process through the word of God
Jesus Christ was in obedient submission to his Father, seen in his willingness to become a human being for humanity’s sake, his freedom from self-interest and his willingness to serve others.
Jesus Christ’s willingness to become a human being
Php 2:6–7
Also see: Ro 8:3; 2 Co 8:9
Jesus Christ’s humility predicted in the OT
Mt 12:19–20; Is 42:2–3; Is 50:4–6
The suffering servant:
Mt 8:17; Ac 8:32–33; Is 53:2–7; 1 Pe 2:22; Is 53:9; 1 Pe 2:24
The coming king:
Mt 21:5; Zec 9:9
The shepherd struck:
Mt 26:31; Zec 13:7
Jesus Christ’s servant attitude
Mk 10:45
Also see: Mt 12:19–20; Jn 13:4–5; Jn 13:12; 2 Co 10:1
Jesus Christ’s teaching about humility
Mk 9:33–37
Also See: Mt 23:8–12; Mk 10:42–45; Lk 14:7–11; Lk 18:9–14
Jesus Christ’s humility as a model for others
Jn 13:12–17
Also see: Mt 11:29–30; Eph 5:25; Php 2:5; 1 Pe 2:21
The poverty of Jesus Christ’s birth and upbringing
Lk 2:7; Lk 2:12; Lk 2:16; Lk 2:22–24
Jesus Christ’s obedience to his human parents
Lk 2:51
Jesus Christ’s obedience to his heavenly Father
Jn 5:30
Also See: Jn 8:29; Jn 15:10; Ro 5:19; Ro 15:3; Php 2:8; Heb 5:8
Jesus Christ’s humble acceptance of ill-treatment
1 Pe 2:23
Also see: Mt 26:63; Mt 26:66–67; Mt 27:14; Mt 27:28–30
Father in heaven,
Thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin. Lord Jesus, please forgive me of all of my sins, come into my heart, and be my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.