Scripture Reading(s)
Philippians 2:5-11
2:5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,
2:8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross.
2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
2:11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflections
Jesus Christ came to this earth not in a means that would paint Him out to be an attention seeker. He came in a form of a baby, and grew up just like a normal child. He took on the role as “man” and did so that He could relate to mankind and win souls over to God.
However, His human form did not at all take away from His role as the one true God. He still possessed the highest level of holiness, purity, power and authority. Yet, even still, He faced cruelty and punishment that was given to those who were deemed to be the worst of criminals and outcasts. This however did not at all take away His role as the one true God. His death and resurrection put His ultimate power and control on display. Christ triumphed over death and many have come to recognize Him as being the on true God over all.
One day when Jesus comes back again, there will be no denying in who Christ is. Regardless of whether or not one has accepted or rejected Christ, the entire world will see and be in awe of the name of Jesus Christ. The time is now to make that declaration and invite Christ into your heart. The time is now to turn away from sin and allow for God to fill your heart with the most satisfaction you will ever need.
People talk about the hard sayings of Jesus, but we forget that Paul delivered some difficult commands also. Here Paul is instructing the Philippians to be humble as Jesus was, even unto the point of death. This is a far cry from what we see today in Christian America. When more and more people are calling others to arms let us not forget that Paul called on Christians to live a sacrificial life, just like Jesus did. It is a hard thing to do for all of us, myself included many times over.
But this is the foundation of the early church; the blood of the martyrs who chose to act as Jesus did. It has been our our witness to the world for centuries that true Christianity is humble and sacrificial. We are called to love our enemies and forgive those who hurt us. John wrote that if any man have hate for another, Christ is not in him.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness(1 John 2:9)
We are called to a higher ground than the rest of the world.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples (John 13:35)