And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8
Have you ever heard of “Obedience School”? It’s where you take your dog for training in order that it becomes more compliant and receptive to commands. Not every dog has to go there. All dogs will learn a certain level of obedience on their own. But if you want a dog to serve a special purpose, training is required. If the dog is intended to become a K-9, a seeing eye dog, or even a hunting dog, then they need special training.
Perhaps it’s a little degrading to compare ourselves to dogs, but isn’t the comparison warranted? When Jesus tested the Canaanite’s woman’s faith, He told her, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." She responded, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Jesus remarked, "O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:26-28)
When it comes to us having the servant’s mind, no doubt we also require training. To obtain this mindset, we must look to THE Servant. Look at Jesus. Look at how He humbled Himself to serve us! He became obedient to the point of death. And not only death, but crucifixion! He was completely obedient to the will of His Father. It was the Father’s will that His Son would die to save us.
How do we learn obedience? From the Word of God. The Law shows us the rules and the consequences. It tells us all of the ways in which we have failed to obey. But then we see the Gospel. It shows us our obedient Savior, who actively did all that the Law required and who passively suffered and died for us. He was always obedient, and we are able to learn obedience through Him.
For us, by wickedness betrayed, For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death; For us He gave His dying breath.
Worship Supplement 760:4