Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name. Philippians 2:5-9

For 21 years Ann Marie Corgill taught grades 1-6 in the Birmingham, Alabama, school system.

Apparently, Corgill was good at her job. In the 2014-2015 school year she was Alabama Teacher of the Year and a finalist for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year Award. Normally, such an influential, encouraging person should be praised, congratulated and encouraged by the community in which she works.

Normally, that would be the case.

But that is not the situation for Ann Marie Corgill who, in a most surprising move, recently resigned from teaching. Was she forced to do so after a scandal? Was her reaction the result of imminent cutbacks? Had she had some kind of breakdown? No, it was none of those things. Corgill's reputation is intact.

What went wrong is this: although Corgill has a national certification to teach grade five, she doesn't have a similar approval from the state, which demands all teachers have to be "highly qualified." Apparently, the Alabama Department of Education says she isn't "highly qualified" and would expect Corgill to go through the lengthy process of being certified.

In frustration at the bureaucratic decision, Corgill tendered her resignation.

I can understand why she did what she did. What I can't understand is why Jesus didn't walk away from His job of being our heaven-sent Substitute.

When He was born in Bethlehem, the king of his country tried to have Him murdered. It was the first of many rejections He would endure during His time on earth. Most of His family didn't understand His mission, and the citizens in His hometown tried to murder Him. The pillars of His community rejected Him, and His religious leaders plotted to have Him murdered.

One of His closest friends betrayed Him; another denied ever having known Him, and the rest of His disciples deserted Him. His government denied Him justice and allowed Him to be crucified. Why Jesus -- who knew all this was going to happen -- would endure such a life is beyond human understanding.

Still, Jesus remained committed to doing the Father's business and offering up His life as the ransom price that would save all who would be given repentant hearts and faith in Him as their Savior and Lord.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for living a life we would have rejected, we give thanks. For offering Yourself as the price that would save us, we give thanks. Now grant we may share the wonders of what You have done with others. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 24-26    1 Peter 2

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