The poem in the middle of these verses is the epicenter of the book of Philippians. In a book focused on an embodied faith, verse 6-11 names in clear terms what that kind of life is to look like as modeled by Jesus. Humility, grace, patience, serving.
It’s one thing to say you believe in something or value something. It’s another thing altogether to show it, do it, and embody it. Jesus’ life was not grounded in a list of moral teachings that he talked about, but in a life that he invites us to be part of in the Kingdom of God in the here and now. This Kingdom lifestyle was shocking because God’s love extended to all, and didn’t hinge on the goodness of us, but the goodness of God.
Christianity is unique among world religions in that God walked the earth with His people. In Isaiah we read all about the coming Savior whose life and ministry will shape nations, and us.
We are taught instinctively to be leery of anything that seems to be too good to be true. Then we read about God’s sending of John the Baptist to an expectant couple. John, the messenger who was to set the ground work for the coming and long awaited Savior.