Philippians 2:8

“and being found in fashion as. man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross”

“And being found”: “And being recognized” (Wey). “In fashion”: The external condition. “That which is purely outward and appeals to the senses” (Vincent p. 434). The truth of the last verse is repeated: Jesus actually was. man. “He outwardly appeared as any other human being. There was no halo surrounding Him as He journeyed about!” (Jackson p. 47). The people He interacted with, viewed Him as another human being (Isaiah 2:2; Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter?”) Yet, the word "fashion" also admits, that there was more to Jesus that humanity (John 1:18; John 14:9), and various honest people perceived as much (John 7:46; Matthew 16:16). From all external appearances, Jesus had all the characteristics of being. man--He had been born (Luke 2:7), He had grown up (Luke 1:80), He had brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:46), He had learned. trade (Mark 6:3), He had the same physical needs (Matthew 4:2; John 4:6). He was social (John 2:1). “He had the looks and outward bearing of men. His way of dress, customs and manners resembled those of His contemporaries” (Hendriksen p. 111).

“He humbled Himself”: (Philippians 2:3). “Becoming obedient even unto death”: He humbled himself, and placed the needs of others ahead of His own, even when He knew that such humility would result in His own loss of life. “Yea”: Even. “The death of the cross”: “Death in its most terrible and revolting form. It was visited upon only the worst of criminals” (Erdman p. 84).

This death involved more than just excruciating pain and suffering. It involved intense shame and humiliation. It was the death reserved for one who was "accursed of God" (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 12:2). “Cicero wrote: ‘Let the very name of the cross be far away not only from the body of. Roman citizen, but even from his thoughts, his eyes, his ears. Christ's death by crucifixion was, therefore, the ultimate in human degradation” (Hawthorne p. 90). “It is difficult for us, after so many centuries to realize the unspeakable horror and disgust that the mention or indeed the very thought of the cross provoked. In polite Roman society the word ‘cross' was an obscenity, not to be uttered in conversation” (Bruce p. 71). The obedience of Jesus to the Father and the love for our souls knew no bounds! But does our "obedience" to Jesus and our love for Him and His people have bounds? Erdman notes, “Such. vision is enough to consume all ‘faction' and ‘vainglory', and to ‘pour contempt' on all our pride” (p. 84). “The underlying thought of verses 5-8 is this: Surely, if Christ Jesus humbled himself so very deeply, you Philippians should be constantly willing to humble yourselves in your own small way” (Hendriksen p. 113).