We all love generous people. Those who go above and beyond with gifts, money and even time make us feel loved, appreciated and uplifted. An unexpected gesture of generosity can make us feel valued as a person. And this is another thing I love about Jesus. He was (and continues to be) not merely the most generous person who ever lived, but munificent in his giving, which “suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes” (Merriam-Webster online dictionary).
Not only did he empty himself, not considering equality with God something to grasp or take advantage of, he made himself “nothing” to become a servant to us (Philippians 2). With “warmhearted readiness” (Merriam-Webster), he gave everything he was and had so we can have abundant life now, and live with him forever. I can’t think of a more generous act or a more loving gift. Jesus told us there is no greater gift than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13) – he calls us friends and he laid down his life for us.
In this incredible, loving act of munificence, he makes us feel loved, appreciated and valued. He elevates our humanity by first assuming our sinful humanity to save us from ourselves and then sharing his humanity with us. I love his warmhearted readiness, his lavish, unremitting giving, his liberal and unstinting generosity, giving not merely as humans give, but on a scale above and beyond that of lords, princes, kings and emperors. What a munificent Savior!
Jesus - Son, Savior, God 