Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Reflection
Yes, it's in only in God that humility becomes a rich trait and characteristic to possess. I can remember a conversation with a friend perhaps twenty-five years past about the quality of humility. My friends opinion at first was that humility was a sign of weakness and something to be avoided. Instead we should always assert ourselves and never show humility.
As the conversation continued I pointed out that one could and has asserted himself in the form of humility. And that One is Jesus. A day later my friend brought up our conversation once again and recalled the life of Jesus and said that Jesus made humility a quality to emulate. In fact, Jesus had made humility a characteristic to be desired and prayed that he too may be humble as Jesus was humble.
Every time I read this passage my mind goes back in time and recalls that conversation. Both of us were much younger at the time. Both of us realized what God had done in Jesus through his humble act of giving all of himself to God and to the mission and purpose for which Jesus was called to complete." The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
In this humility of Jesus I am truly amazed, thankful and praise God. I truly fall to my knees in the presence of Jesus, especially upon that cross and confess before all the world that Jesus IS God. Jesus IS the Savior.
Many believe that this passage of Scripture was once a hymn. I can see that. A hymn to be sung and a hymn that would stick into the memories of all believers. A hymn of praise and glory to God. A hymn that reminds us of the mind of Jesus and the true love that God has shown to all the world in what Jesus has done for everyone. It makes me wonder what the tune would have been. I'm sure it was a tune that brought forth spontaneous praise and adoration of the loudest form from the voices of all the people of God.
In the context of this passage that Paul writes, Philippi was in the midst of much Roman upheaval. Enough that talk of civil war was on the tongues of the people. So the Christians of this time were very familiar with persecution. Paul is preparing the Christians of Philippi for the life of Christ to be lived out in themselves. A life in which it would be necessary to endure persecution even in the face of death. A life somewhat like the life of Jesus when he lived, suffered and died for the sins of all the people in all of the world. A life which calls the people to humility yet strength in the focus on the love of not self but rather the love of those around themselves also in the midst of persecution.
It's in our pain and suffering and illness, that we are called to come together as Christian family. It's in the midst of these times when we come together for and with one another and build each other up. We see what Jesus has done for us and the great example of humility and love that God has given to us that we turn to our neighbor in their time of need and show the love of Jesus in service. This is not the time to run away from our neighbor in need. This is not the time to abandon our brother or sister and reject them because of their reaction to pain, suffering or illness. Rather it is the time to band together and love in humble service... the humble servant-hood of Christ. This is the time to be loyal to the Gospel of which we proclaim the love of God in Christ Jesus.
What a hymn to be sung. A hymn to remind all of us of how God acted in humility and how we too shall act in humility as we serve those God gives to us in the love of Jesus. No... our focus is not on the hymn... our focus is not on the music... our focus is on Jesus... our focus is on the cross, that humble and glorious act of love only God could perform but which we are given the Spirit by which to perform for our neighbor as well. Even in the midst of our own suffering and persecution we serve in the love of Jesus.
Thanks be to God!
Song
May this hymn stick in your mind this day and the days to come as we confess Jesus as Lord of all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E6_JAaa94Y
Prayer
Lord, as I move through this day may I serve in humility all those you give to me to the glory of what you first have done through Jesus... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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