#DailyDevotion Have The Mind Of Christ

Php 2:5-11  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.  (9)  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  (10)  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  (11)  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

For a while the Church had an error in which it placed Jesus as ‘just an example’ and ignored that what he did which is the most important, what he did for you. But the opposite error is also an error in which we don’t look to Jesus as our example for our daily lives.

Here St. Paul places Jesus as our example and at the same time also describes what he has done for us. He tells us to have the same mind among ourselves which is our in Christ Jesus. Now this mind that is ours in Christ Jesus is one of humility, love and service. Jesus, though he is God, did not count his equality with God (the Father) as something to be grasped. Jesus was going to do something different. He was going to humble himself.

Jesus humbled himself, emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant. He became the ‘least in the kingdom of God’ (Matt. 11:11). He washed his disciples feet as an example unto them and to us to follow. He was God’s servant, Mat 12:18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.”

Jesus, though innocent and holy, though the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, finding himself in human form humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. He prayed this cup be removed from him. The Father said otherwise. He obeyed his Father. He died and he died a most humiliating death, scorning its shame but for the joy set before him. Yet the Father has not left him humbled. He raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand, a placed he could have grasped by right but now as one of us has lifted us to sit with him in the heavenly realms.

If our Lord Jesus Christ can so humble himself and serve all in such a way, how much more should we who believe this follow in his example. We too should humble ourselves before the Father with whatever circumstances he places us in. We too should see to serve those around us and give them the honor due Christ. We too should be willing to die in reality and spiritually for the sake of Jesus whether at the hand of persecution or giving up our right of retribution. Our Christian motto should be to those we meet along the way, “How may I serve you?” For it is Jesus our God and Lord who has served us.

Heavenly Father, grant us such faith in our Lord Jesus Christ so we may exhibit the same mind that is in Christ Jesus to the world around us and live our lives in humility and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.