READ: Philippians 1:27-2:30
Verses
chosen for meditation: Philippians 2:5-8
5 Have this mind among
yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who,
though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a
thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by
taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And
being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a cross.
REFLECT
Paul
wrote to his Philippian friends about a decade after he found the church. He
had suffered much in the preceding years, with beatings, imprisonment,
hostility from jealous competitors. Paul must have wondered several times
whether it was all worth the pain. Even as he wrote this letter, he’s in chains
for Christ (Philippians 1:13). Still, whenever Paul thought of the Philippians,
his spirits lift.
Paul
refused gifts from most churches, to prevent enemies from twisting facts and
accusing him of exploitation. However, he trusted the Philippians. They sacrificed
to meet his needs several times. In fact, Paul wrote this mainly as a thank-you
letter for all they had done. This unique letter is where we can find what
keeps Paul going during tough times.
In
Chapter 2, we see the source of Paul’s irrepressible drive, as he marvels at
Jesus, who gave up the glories of heaven to take the form of man. And not just
a man (that itself is humbling enough), but a servant who pours out his life
for others. Paul took on that pattern for himself, being in awe of Jesus’
nature.
RELATE
Paul brings us to the mind of Jesus. If someone does
something puzzling, we may ask “what did he have in mind when he did it?” It’s
hard to fully comprehend what Jesus did, which puzzles many. Some find it hard
to accept the Christian faith because the grace dispensed is too good to be
true for them. But it is true! We as believers, should then seek to understand
the mind of Christ.
What is it that’s important to Jesus? What
principles did he cherish? What are his objectives? On what basis were his
choices made? Paul must have questioned these often, and drew strength and wisdom
from such meditations. Paul wanted the Philippians, and by extension, us to
follow Christ’s example of humility. It’s not enough to just try to do, but to
understand at the very core what drives this humility.
V7 (he emptied himself) and v8 (he humbled
himself) shows a reflex on Jesus’ part that points to personal decision and
action. Jesus’ act of humiliation is voluntary and self-imposed. What did Jesus
have to give up? He was in the form of God (v6), but took the form of a servant
(v7). These may be mere words to us, for we can’t appreciate heavenly realities.
But to Jesus, he freely surrendered his loved reality. Think of your most prized
possession or reality in your life. Can you voluntarily discard that for others?
What’s the mind of Christ? I don’t fully know! But
part of it is to take what’s best and most desirable to oneself, and to freely
abandon it for a more cherished purpose. Jesus could do it because “he did not
count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (v6). This verse highlights the
stark contrast between how Jesus could have behaved, and how he actually lived.
Jesus and God (Father) are equal. On earth, he could
have demanded for everyone to grovel at his feet. Yet, he did not cling (“grasp”)
to his heavenly authority, but humbled himself (v8) to become a servant to the
people he created. The extent to which he did this: to the point of death.
Jesus had immortality, but went through death, for people he could have counted
less significant than himself. For people who afflicted and tortured him. Yet, he
viewed them more cherished than himself.
Paul wants us to display the same humility, to count
others more significant than ourselves and look to their interests (Philippians 2:3-4). Like Jesus, we should not see our designations, positional authority as
something to be grasped, but use whatever influence bestowed upon us to serve
others, because they are precious. As the Philippians grew in this humility and
love, understanding the mind of Christ more and more, it gave Paul much joy. It
makes it all worth it.
The book of Philippians gives us glimpses of Paul’s
fatigue, but also shows flashes of what kept him from “burnout”. In Jesus, he drew
strength and inspiration to get through his ordeals. The support, love and
growth of the Philippians greatly encouraged him. Wanting to be like Jesus, and
the joys in the progress of the Philippians were what kept Paul going.
REST
You
laid aside your majesty,
gave
up everything for me.
Suffered
at the hands of those you have created.
From
the song “You Laid Aside Your Majesty”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asy9EQSvrZ4
Chris Chong
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