Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: His was no mere resignation, for that is the attitude of the soul toward the inevitable, h creature may risk his life, indeed, provided the aim be a true and noble one; but no right is his to throw it away. He is, on the contrary, bound to conserve it, if he car, do so without the sacrifice of higher interests. But Christ Jesus in His perfect obedience died, because He so willed, and when and as He willed. There stands in a Strasburg church a monument suggestive in its sculptured group. It is the figure of a warrior before an open grave. Death at his side is touching him with his inevitable dart, and he is represented as descending with manly step, but saddened brow, into the sepulchre yawning at his feet. Thus is depicted the lot of our common humanity. "It is appointed unto men once to die," and when death comes, he comes resistlessly. Thus are depicted, further, the noble submission and fortitude with which the brave man, brave because he is good, meets death. But with the Captain of our salvation it was far otherwise. He had His life either to give or to keep. He gave His life with all its preciousness, a freewill offering, a priceless sacrifice "of a sweet-smelling savour unto God." (J. Hutchinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:WEB: but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. |
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