Philippians Christ Humility
He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 (EHV)
When the Son of God humbled Himself and took on human nature, He subjected Himself to all things that go with being human (except without sin). He accepted human limitations–hunger, fatigue, sorrow. But He also subjected Himself to the ultimate hallmark of humanity–death. With Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden, death became the inescapable end, as summarized in Romans 5:12 (EHV): “So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned.” Though sinless, Jesus willingly bore even this consequence of being man.
Being subject to death in any form–even passing away peacefully in His sleep–would have been an extreme lowering (humiliation) of Himself. But the death that Jesus experienced would be–could be–no ordinary death. Not only did He die, but He suffered death on a cross–crucifixion. Crucifixion was an execution method designed to inflict maximum suffering and humiliation. The event was carried out in public, subjecting the individual to public ridicule. Forced to carry his cross, and often stripped naked, an extreme amount of shame was added to the unthinkable physical pain.
While many people experienced Roman crucifixion, there was none like this one. For as bad as the pain and shame inflicted by men, there was far greater inflicted by God. When Jesus took our place on the cross, He experienced God’s wrath as if He had committed every sin of all mankind for all time. The rightful pain and shame of the entire human race was placed on Him. This was the pinnacle of Christ’s humiliation.
Thou has suffered great affliction
And hast borne it patiently,
Even death by crucifixion,
Fully to atone for me;
Thou didst choose to be tormented
That my doom should be prevented.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
The Lutheran Hymnal 151: 6