Nawa’y magkaroon kayo ng kaisipan na tulad ng kay Cristo Jesus. Kahit siya’y likas at tunay na Diyos, hindi niya ipinagpilitang manatiling kapantay ng Diyos. Sa halip, kusa niyang hinubad ang pagiging kapantay ng Diyos, at naging katulad ng isang alipin. Ipinanganak siyang tulad ng mga karaniwang tao.

Mga Taga Filipos 2:5–7a

Would you exchange your shirt with a prisoner’s?

Harold Sala, a bestselling author and the voice behind Guidelines for Living radio program, went to the maximum security Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa. There he shared the gospel to the men who needed God’s message the most. Filled with joy over his visit, one of the prisoners took off his orange, prison-issued shirt and gave it to the honored guest as a gift. Harold was surprised. In a stunning display of his own gratitude, Harold removed his buttoned, collared shirt, gave it to the prisoner, and put on the orange shirt. Nag-exchange shirts sila. The prisoners erupted in joy and laughter. In that brief, unforgettable moment, the American evangelist became one of them.

On a much grander scale, ganito ang ginawa ni Jesus. He exchanged the grandeur of heaven for the dust and grime of the world. God became a man, and for 33 years, lived among us. He did this so He, the Lamb of God, can shed His blood to pay for our sins. This was the only way we can be reconciled with our holy and perfect Heavenly Father.

What is our response? We can either accept Jesus or reject Him. To accept Jesus is to experience a full and meaningful life, and to spend an eternity with Him in heaven someday. To reject Him is to make the worst mistake we can ever do in this lifetime. By saying no to Him, we are closing the door to His grace, love, and forgiveness. Each day would feel like a dark, cold day in hell even while we are still here on Earth.