PASKONG KAY SAYA! What Makes Christmas Really MerrySample

Day 4: The Ultimate Exchange Gift

“He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (Philippians 2:7 NLT)

Pinoy Christmas parties are never complete without “exchange gifts.” Everyone brings a gift which is then swapped with another. The how of the exchange may vary: by drawing lots, spinning a wheel, or having a fun game. But there’s one general rule: the gifts should be of similar value. We agree on a price, say a gift worth 500 pesos, so someone who gifts a fancy planner doesn’t end up receiving a tissue roll. Sounds fair, right? Because who would trade something valuable with something that’s not?

Well, someone did just that. In coming here on earth, Jesus traded His divine status with a servant status... the glory of heaven with the baseness of the earth... and the worship of angels with the scorn of men. Philippians 2 says, “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (v. 6-7). As if those weren’t enough, He also swapped places with us on the Cross (1 Peter 3:18), took our sins upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21), and bore the punishment that should have been ours (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Why did Jesus have to endure all that? Why did He become the “sacrifice for [our] sin” (Romans 3:25)? It's so that we—sinners as we all are who have “[fallen] short of God’s glorious standard” (v. 23)—could be made right in God’s sight (v. 24). What an exchange that our ransom was paid not by “mere gold or silver,” but by “the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Here’s another remarkable thing about His sacrifice: Jesus knew the price He’d pay—the taunts and jeers of men, the whips and lashes, the pain and shame of the Cross, the weight of humanity’s sin on His shoulders, and the ensuing feeling of separation from the Father—but He paid it anyway. He didn’t back out and willingly traded places with us (Luke 22:42; Philippians 2:8).

How should we respond to such a great sacrifice? Paul gave us the answer a few verses up: “by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). He further exhorts us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than [ourselves]” (v. 3). In short, to live a selfless life—just like Jesus did. With Jesus as our example and with the help of the Holy Spirit, may we also be willing to offer ourselves for the benefit of others.

How is Jesus’ sacrifice a great display of selflessness? What act of sacrifice can you do to reflect Jesus’ selflessness to others?

Lord Jesus, how infinitely wide and long and high and deep is Your love! May Your great love overflow from my heart and extend to the people around me.