“Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

Wherefore, also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,

” Philippians 2, 5 ­ 11 American Revised Standard Edition

THERE WAS A MAN —

There was a man​ whose hands so strong and skilful as he shaped chairs, tables, ploughs at the carpenter’s bench, could yet place them so lovingly on shining heads of children and so tenderly on the sick and suffering.

There was a man​ ​whose eyes held theirs and looked deep down into their hearts seeing every question, every hurt, the scars of past wounds – until their eyes filled with tears and their heart locked onto his, for he was Love incarnate.

There was a man​ ​who unmasked deceit and recognized the wickedness of a man’s mind and heart, until the owner mumbled excuses and slunk away.

There was a man​ ​who spoke to demons and commanded them to leave their victims, so that the eyes of the insane became clear and focused, the wounds of the self­harmers were healed, the hands that trembled in fear became calm and steady.

There was a man​ ​​who raised the dead and touched the lepers, created new limbs, dried up sores, commanded diseases and infirmities, that, like a living thing – they obeyed him.

There was a man​ whose words were so wonderful, so powerful, so loving, so amazing, so full of authority, that they said: No man ever spoke like this man!

There was a man​ ​​whose very presence drew them like metal to a magnet – a man they could not get enough of – a man they would follow to the ends of the earth.

There was a man​ ​who, though so full of power, yet slept exhausted in the boat and sat on a well at noon, being weary, for he knew the limitations of the human body.

There was a man​ ​whose words cut deep like the surgeon’s scalpel, who made a man’s cheek burn with shame, for he saw the evil they were plotting in their hearts.

There was a man​ ​whose wisdom exceeded all other, who always had an answer, who was never surprised or overcome with deceit or tricks – one in whom was no fault.

There was a man​ who had compassion on the poor as they struggled to exist from day to day, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, and taking a few loaves and fishes he blessed them and fed the multitude, so there was even plenty over.

There was a man​ ​​who walked on water, spoke to the raging wind and torrents, calmed the storm, saving the men in the boat; who spoke to a tree and cursed it – next day it had withered away.

There was a man​ ​​who when he looked at women, saw each one as an individual – not an object to be lusted after or longed for, who dignified their gender and respected the person that they were.

There was a man​ ​​who sweat drops of blood as he agonized under the olive trees in the Garden, who took on himself the rejection, the torments, the stark terror, Hell’s punishment, the wrath of God to pay the price of Redemption.

There was a man​ ​​whom they beat and scourged with the Roman lash until it was like a furrowed field, and by those stripes, we are healed.

There was a man​ ​​whose beard which had been patted by tiny, loving hands of the children he blessed, was now torn out by raucous soldiers, laughing and spitting in his face.

There was a man​ ​​who bore the heavy cross until they nailed him on it and dropped it into the hole in the ground on a hill called Calvary, suspended high between heaven and earth, the spotless Lamb replacing all other lambs which had ever been sacrificed.

There was a man​ ​whose sinless blood ran from his hands, his feet, his thorn-­crowned head and countless wounds on his body – to save us from our sins and make us white as snow.

There was a Man​ ​​who burst the bonds of Death and rose again, walking out of the cave-­tomb, triumphant and radiant, bearing now the keys of Death and Hell, Conqueror over His enemy Satan, a substitute for us that, accepting Him, we might live for ever!

There was a Man​ who ascended to his Father, crowned with glory and honour, victorious, supreme, gifted with the Name above every other name, so that at the mention of that Name every knee must bow –

THAT MAN WAS JESUS CHRIST — THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!! ​