God's Generosity Showed Through Humble Service
Daily Scripture
Philippians 2:5-8
5 Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
6 Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
7 But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
If you asked someone in New Testament times to name a ‘great’ leader, they might have said Alexander the Great, who conquered the known world. Or Augustus, the Roman Emperor who brought ‘peace’ through violence and intimidation. Who do you think many people today would name as great leaders? Our faith offers a very different outlook on “greatness.” “[Jesus] was the reality, and Alexander and Augustus were the caricature. [Jesus] is what true global sovereignty looked like.” * In other words, Alexander and Augustus were all power and force but missed the heart of true leadership. Paul urged the Philippians to be like Jesus (the Christ = anointed one), a dramatically different kind of king. “Instead of using his position to gain things for himself, Christ used it to give to others.” **
- Jesus “did not consider being equal with God something to exploit” (verse 6). Scholar N. T. Wright wrote, “Who [in the Bible story] arrogantly grasped at the chance to be ‘like God, knowing good and evil’? Why, Adam in Genesis 3.” Jesus, who was God, showed “what it really meant to be divine…. the true meaning of who God is. He is the God of self-giving love.” * Paul urged the Philippians to “adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.” What would it look like for you to “empty yourself,” to take the form of a servant, in one specific situation this week?
- When Paul said Jesus ’emptied himself,’ he didn’t mean Jesus stopped being God. The Greek phrase means ‘he was willing to give up all he had.’ Jesus didn’t cling to divine privileges. He chose a servant path, even accepting death on a cross. *** Would you admire Jesus more if he’d always asked, “Do you know who I am really?” and insisted on praise? What would it look like for you to ’empty yourself’ this week—to set aside privilege or honor for someone else’s good?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I call you Lord, not in spite of your humble, serving life and death, but because of it. As I worship you, send your Spirit to grow more of your self-giving love in my heart. Amen.
GPS Insights
Jonah Miller
Jonah Miller, a Junior at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, wrote today's Insights. Jonah is a straight-A student, always striving for the best and to help others. He loves engineering, Cross-Country, robotics, and the performing arts. He’s performed in musicals and plays and written several one-act scripts. Jonah attends Student Ministries at Resurrection Overland Park, where he was also baptized and confirmed. Jonah has completed numerous service projects with Resurrection and Student Serve Trips.
The ability to lead like Jesus, to lead with humility by joining those he is leading and putting himself lower to serve those he leads, is a skill worth developing. I have experienced someone who has worked to develop this ability–I really mean “someones.” This is my first year in cross country, and while I’ve had each of these people as teachers, to see them work together is even better.
My coaches, Mr. Stigge, Dr. Winston, Mr. Swift, and Ms. Ojeda, have inspired and helped me so much, but the way they do it is most important. While many lead with ‘power and force,’ these four have learned to lead more like Jesus. Those who are still young enough to run with us run every day, right alongside us as if they were a student on the team as well. They mentor and guide us to keep us on the right track and continue to improve without becoming overbearing. They have taken the time to develop a variety of exercises, yoga routines, and healing practices to keep those with injuries on pace and handle all the scheduling for meets and dinners. This devotion to the team and putting the students first makes them truly great leaders. While everyone may not have the time and resources to do what these four do, the choice to lead like they’re one of us, always willing to help rather than looming over as a higher authority, demonstrates true leadership.
Even though they are technically still a higher authority, they chose to bring themselves down, connecting with all of us who are willing. They talk to us as if they were students as well, while directing us on how to complete our tasks and improve. I’ve seen them work hard, serving us and showing up every single day. For the last three months, their humble leadership has gained them much respect and a place in my heart. My cross-country coaches, Mr. Stigge, Dr. Winston, Mr. Swift, and Ms. Ojeda, have shown true leadership and have developed their ability to lead like Jesus by humbling themselves to the people they lead and serving the people to benefit the whole community.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Wright, N.T., Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (The New Testament for Everyone) (pp. 101-103). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
** Jerry L. Sumney, study note on Philippians 2:6 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 377 NT.
*** Greek insights from I-Jin Loh and Eugene A. Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. New York: United Bible Societies, 1977, pp. 59-60.
