“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 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.“ Philippians 2:5-7 NLT
Have you tried to go clothes shopping since the 2020 pandemic turned our world upside down? Like many other practices we took for granted, clothes shopping has become a more complicated adventure. I have been in need of some replacement items and have been frustrated to find that many fitting rooms are closed, which will cause me to turn around and leave the store. The first time I realized this I had an armful of things to try on!
I decided to try to purchase my replacements at a store near my home. They were handling the pandemic fitting room closure by loosening their exchange policy. Buy the items, take the clothes home to try on, return or exchange items that don’t fit or you don’t want. I tried it once, but the items looked better on the store hangers, so I got my money back. Sorry. That kind of continuous exchange won’t work for me! I don’t have time to keep running back and forth to the store! I’ll go somewhere that does have fitting rooms open or wait until I can try things on!
The goal of an exchange is to come home with something better than you went in with, right? What’s going on in your life right now that you would like to exchange for something better? Worries? Uncertainty about the future? Strained relationships? Physical challenges?
Exchanges. Have you ever thought about the exchange Jesus made for you and for me? The goal of His exchange was not so that He could get something better, but so that you and I could gain something infinitely better: A restored relationship with God right now and eternity with Him in heaven! That’s a great exchange for us, but not for Jesus. He gave up His place and position so that He could give humanity a new place and position. Christ gave up everything that was His so that you and I could have everything that is now ours. Think for a moment about the exchanges that He made for your benefit.
Here are just a few:
Power for weakness: He gave up all power and exchanged it for weakness. As God He could do all things. As a baby, He could do nothing.
Privilege for punishment: As King He deserved all privileges. As a servant He willingly took the punishment you and I deserved.
Limitless for limits: As God He had limitless power. As a man He allowed himself to live within human limits. He chose to do what humans can do and set aside what God can do.
Honor for humility: As the Son of God He deserved all honor. As a condemned man, He allowed Himself to not only be humbled, but humiliated before all the world.
Fullness for emptiness: As God He had everything. As a man He emptied Himself of everything.
Master for slave: As Master of the Universe, He controlled the stars. As the slave of all, He controlled nothing.
All rights for no rights: As King He had the right to command everyone. As a condemned man He was commanded to the cross.
All wealth for no wages: As God He owned everything. As a man, He owned nothing.
All authority for no autonomy: As King He had authority over all. As a condemned man He had no authority over his very life.
No physical expression for limited humanity: As God He could choose how to show Himself. As a human, He was restricted to a body.
Commander for Obedience: As God, He ruled over all. As a man, He lived in obedience to the Father.
Ever-living for death: As God, He was eternal with no beginning and no end. As a man, He faced the finality of death.
Jesus exchanged what was rightfully HIs for what is rightfully ours. He laid aside, emptied Himself of God-ness to become like us. Jesus willingly exchanged His place with ours so that we can have what is rightfully His: Unbroken relationship with the Father and a share in the inheritance of the Son. (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:12)
It’s the great exchange! He exchanged His position and privileges for our position and poverty. We were separated from God. Lost. Weighed down by sin. He took that on and gave us His position instead. Accepted. Loved. Favored by God. Clean. What an amazing thing!
What would you like to exchange today? You don’t have to take it home to “try on.” It is yours right now! What Jesus is offering you is so much better. It’s already bought and paid for, all you have to do is “wear” what is already yours. Are you ready to make an exchange?
Key thought: Jesus exchanged all so that we could have all.
A Scripture to consider:“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 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.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 NLT
A YES challenge: Read through Philippians 2: 5-11 in your Bible. Underline or highlight words that indicate what Jesus received in exchange for His divine privileges. Write a prayer of thanks for all that you have received as a result of this Great Exchange.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I can never express my gratefulness completely. You gave up so much so that I could receive so much. It’s hard to fully comprehend just what it meant for You to give up Heaven for earth. It’s hard for me to wrap my brain around Your sacrifice. Forgive me for the times when I forget just what You purchased for me. Forgive me for not fully appreciating the exchange You made on my behalf. Help me to fully walk in my restored relationship with God, experiencing His presence in every part of my life. Help me to live with a heavenly mindset, remembering that my inheritance is waiting because You exchanged my death for Your life. You gave up Your place so that I could have a place in heaven with the Father. Thank You , Jesus! Amen.