Let
this mind be in you, which was also
in
Christ Jesus:
Who,
being in the form of God, thought
it
not robbery to be equal with God:
But
made himself of no reputation, and
took
upon him the form of a servant,
and
was made in the likeness of men:
And
being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled
himself, and became obedient
unto
death, even the death of the cross
Philippians
2:5-8
A
couple of weeks ago, our son visited us with his family. His oldest
son and I were looking at some pictures. I had a recent one of his
cousin he hasn't seen in awhile. He asked me if that was Aunt
Beverly. I told him that it was his cousin not his aunt. He said,
“She looks just like her mom.” I told him that they have heard
that before. All of us have known people who look just like someone
else. There are ladies I have admired through the years who I've
told, “I want to be just like you when I grow up.” I didn't know
at the moment how to really compliment them. I saw Jesus in them
like they didn't see in themselves.
Foundational
to the book of Philippians is the above section of verses that are
basic to who Jesus was/is and what that should mean to us. Paul's
challenge to us is found right at the beginning of verse five. His
first six words don't seem to be a suggestion but a strong challenge
that to us might seem impossible. He says for you and me to have the
mind of Christ. That sounds next to impossible, but Scripture never
gives us a command we can't attain to. Needless to say, it won't
happen if we haven't had our own personal salvation relationship with
Jesus. There may be others who feel they can skip that step, but
without an introduction to Jesus, growing in Him just isn't going to
happen.
In
the context of Paul's precious package here, he gives us a couple of
areas where we can be spiritually successful. While in the likeness
of man, Jesus never sought to climb any ladders leading to
popularity/reputation. In fact, in the Gospels, we find Him saying
at times to others to not tell of some of His miracles. This
attitude and mindset brought out in Jesus his servant hood. Jesus,
the Son of God actually washed the feet of His disciples after their
last meal together before He would go to the cross. That may not
seem to be a big deal to us but in those days, culturally for all
folks, even slaves weren't required to wash the feet of dinner guests
in their owners home. When a guest, every consideration was extended
except that you washed your own feet. A basin of water and towel was
provided for you. People wore sandals and feet were a real mess.
For Jesus to wash feet was a very significant gesture.
Paul
also speaks of Jesus' humility. Even Jesus humbled Himself to His
Father. He knew the Father's desire for His Son's life and Jesus
humbly yielded to the Father's authority, even to the point of going
to the cross. He didn't go there because He was guilty of anything.
He went because you and I have been guilty of many things for which a
perfect sacrifice was required.
So
Paul tells us to LET the mind of Christ permeate our own minds. It
means our not seeking to have some great reputation/popularity
for ourselves. To have His mind, we are to be servants. This
requires our thinking first, of others and doing for them when they
have need. Then we see the humility of Jesus. These three
things culminated in His obedience, even to death on a cross.
We need those three things as well, as we are often called to die
for something in our lives or circumstances.
We'll
never attain to those four things perfectly until Heaven. For the
time being, Paul said: LET this mind be in you. Let means for us
to allow something to happen, to put forth effort to reach out to.
We often don't set any spiritual goals because we just don't think
about it. Here in this passage, we have four things to pray about
that the Holy Spirit will do the work in us. I can't be any of these
things without His empowerment.
Our
world is crying for Christians who are earnest in living all out for
Jesus. Nothing would make our Heavenly Father happier. LET us be
seekers to the higher things of Jesus. May we want to look like
Jesus and to be more like Him.
Dear
Father, help us to love You more than we ever have. If we don't love
You well, we'll feel no urge to serve You well. Help us through Your
Holy Spirit to have a desire to be more like Your Son, Jesus...and we
pray in that precious name...Amen
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