Sunday, March 19, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Philippians 2:5–11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NRSV)

Reflection

In this beautiful passage — one in which Paul is widely believed to be quoting an early Christian hymn — Paul focuses on one of the astonishing dichotomies of Jesus’ life: although he was the Messiah and Emmanuel (“God with us”), Jesus was deeply humble and refused to exploit his power and authority. “Do nothing from selfish ambition and conceit,” Paul asks of the Philippians a few verses before today’s passage, “but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” — before reminding the Philippians of Jesus’ humble sacrifice in today’s verses.

Although we live in a culture that prizes self-promotion, there is an undeniable power to true humility — ranging from the many strengths of servant leadership to the recognition that “what we know is a drop, what we don’t an ocean” (Isaac Newton). Humility is not a denial of our gifts; it is instead a recognition that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.

This truth is both freeing and inspiring, reminding us that we are not called to be Messiahs but are instead called to model our lives after the one who was. As we open our lives to transformation once again this Lenten season — deeply aware of the power that self-giving love can have — may we be drawn ever closer into walking humbly with our God, patterning our lives according to the example set before us by Jesus Christ, our Savior, Lord, and friend.

Prayer

Loving God, in Jesus you have shown me what it truly means to love — looking not to my own interests but to the interests of others. Help me to model this sort of humility and love in my daily living, both in this Lenten season and beyond. Amen.

Written by Matt Helms, Associate Pastor for Children and Families

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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