The Law of Sacrifice: Jesus' Six Steps of Servanthood

Extracted from The Maxwell Leadership Bible

Paul used Jesus as the ultimate example of servant leadership. After urging his audience to humble themselves and live selflessly (Phil. 2:2-4), he reminds them of Christ's incarnation. Here the Ultimate Leader made the ultimate sacrifice. He left the glories of heaven and the highest position in heaven, not only to join His creation, but to take on the lowest form of the creation.

Jesus stepped through six levels as He moved downward toward us. In His leadership, He practiced the Law of Sacrifice:

Level One: He gave up His divine form (v. 8).
Level Two: He emptied Himself of any rights (v. 7).
Level Three: He became a man (v. 7).
Level Four: He became a servant (v. 7).
Level Five: He was obedient to the point of death (v. 8).
Level Six: He died a terrible kind of death (v. 8).