“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. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
What is the mind of Christ? Paul lists a few attributes to explain his meaning. “Of no reputation,” would mean that Jesus wasn’t out to make a name for Himself and try to become famous. “Took on…the form of a servant,” refers to the fact that Jesus was here to serve mankind, from giving freely of Himself, to healing others, washing His disciple’s feet, and sacrificing His life for all of us, He is the model servant. “He humbled Himself” by leaving His lofty position as part of God, and stooped to the utter lowliness of taking on the likeness of man. This is the mind of Christ.
He was beaten, despised, afflicted, and murdered. Yet through it all He still was obedient to His Father’s will. How could he do that? Such a painful death, such abject humiliation, the utter torment of separation from God, due to the sin he bore. How could he ever do it? How could He let Himself be dragged down to Hell, who had never done wrong?
“Greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend.” (John 15:13). In His own words, Jesus explained how He could bear these things. It was His love for others—His love for me—that bore Him through His trials. If He can love someone so much that He would endure a death by crucifixion, then surely I can learn to show love to others, especially in the easier setting I am in. But, if I were in such a situation, where I would have to put my life on the line for a friend, or someone I don’t even know, would I be able to do it? I think that I may be able to, if I knew for sure that the one I was sacrificing myself for knew why I did it. If I could tell them, I would say that I do it as a way of thanking another who died to save my life, even though I didn't know Him. He didn’t even know me, but cared enough about me to put Himself in the way of a sure death for me.
Thank you, God, for sending your Son. Thank you, Lord, for setting me free.
Brian Jones
10/8/2006
Philippians 2:5–11
“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. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
What is the mind of Christ? Paul lists a few attributes to explain his meaning. “Of no reputation,” would mean that Jesus wasn’t out to make a name for Himself and try to become famous. “Took on…the form of a servant,” refers to the fact that Jesus was here to serve mankind, from giving freely of Himself, to healing others, washing His disciple’s feet, and sacrificing His life for all of us, He is the model servant. “He humbled Himself” by leaving His lofty position as part of God, and stooped to the utter lowliness of taking on the likeness of man. This is the mind of Christ.
He was beaten, despised, afflicted, and murdered. Yet through it all He still was obedient to His Father’s will. How could he do that? Such a painful death, such abject humiliation, the utter torment of separation from God, due to the sin he bore. How could he ever do it? How could He let Himself be dragged down to Hell, who had never done wrong?
“Greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend.” (John 15:13). In His own words, Jesus explained how He could bear these things. It was His love for others—His love for me—that bore Him through His trials. If He can love someone so much that He would endure a death by crucifixion, then surely I can learn to show love to others, especially in the easier setting I am in. But, if I were in such a situation, where I would have to put my life on the line for a friend, or someone I don’t even know, would I be able to do it? I think that I may be able to, if I knew for sure that the one I was sacrificing myself for knew why I did it. If I could tell them, I would say that I do it as a way of thanking another who died to save my life, even though I didn't know Him. He didn’t even know me, but cared enough about me to put Himself in the way of a sure death for me.
Thank you, God, for sending your Son. Thank you, Lord, for setting me free.