Jesus' example: he “emptied” and “humbled” himself
Daily Scripture
Philippians 2:3-11
3 Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. 4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. 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.
9 Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
10 so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
In his letter to Philippian Christians, the apostle Paul quoted an early Christian hymn which boldly called Jesus “Lord.” We know Roman emperors clung to the title “Lord” with ruthless violence. But Jesus’ approach to winning the world was based on values at odds with much of his (and our) culture. Christians said Jesus, the true “Lord,” was willing to “empty himself” (verse 7), that he was humble, loving, and gracious. Rome’s military might against Jesus’ seemingly naïve followers looked absurdly uneven. It was—but 2,000 years of history show that Jesus, not Caesar, had the winning approach.
- The early Christian hymn the apostle Paul quoted said Jesus “emptied himself… by becoming like human beings.” And not like a prominent, wealthy human being: “When he found himself in the form of a human, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Do you recoil from that kind of humbling career or life path, or do you sense the freedom and power of it? How does this deepen your sense of what it means to want to “be like Jesus”?
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Scholar H. C. Hewlett said, “Humility is the recognition of our true littleness as those dependent utterly on God.” * That’s quite different from yielding outwardly while being irate inside about someone else “winning” or depriving you of a treasured “perk.” How can the kind of deep humility Jesus modeled open your heart to God’s love? How can it clear away inner barriers that may block us from loving one another?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you chose to save me rather than preserve your own comfort or dignity. Help me to have your attitude toward others in my daily life. Amen.
GPS Insights
Justin Burnett
Justin Burnett serves as a Missions Engagement Program Director for Resurrection's Leawood location and is a Declared Candidate for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. Justin graduated from Drury University with a B.S. degree in Emergency Management. He later moved to Overland Park, Kansas to answer God's call to professional ministry and is a seminary student at Saint Paul School of Theology. In Justin's spare time, he enjoys nature, travel, film, games, and music—singing with the Leawood modern worship team on occasion.
In Philippians, Paul writes that we ought to live with humility as exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ. While thinking about Jesus’ ministry, many applicable examples come to mind: he dined with social outcasts, touched lepers, and always wielded his supernatural power with care. As amazing as these examples are, it is John’s account of the Last Supper in John 13:1-16 that provides a capstone example of Jesus’ humble stance.
John notes that Jesus removed his outer garment and stooped down to wash his disciples’ feet. Picture it: the King of the universe was washing feet, which was the humblest act of service known during that time! Even more remarkable is that this act foreshadowed the greater act of Jesus’ atonement for us on the cross—a sacrifice that occurred within hours of this holy gathering. Today, we remember Christ’s act through Holy Communion and are renewed in our Christian walk by partaking in this sacrament.
Several years ago, I completed a summer internship at a non-profit that serves unsheltered persons. I vividly remember working with a retired nurse named Elisa. Among many tasks, she conducted wound care and foot treatments for persons needing medical care. As Elisa washed and anointed bruised, blistered, and sometimes bloody feet, I couldn’t help but think of Christ’s acts of humble service. Even more remarkable is that Jesus’ own hands and feet were pierced for us on the cross (Isaiah 53:5; Luke 24:39).
When we humble ourselves to wash another person’s feet, clothe them, or invite them to a meal, we are doing this for Jesus, too (Matthew 25:40). But it is up to us to seek these holy moments to “wash” our neighbors’ feet. In a broken world, opportunities to selflessly serve are endless if we listen to the gentle prompts of the Holy Spirit. Through these acts of love, may all come to know that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* H. C. Hewlett, comment on Philippians 2:3 in F. F. Bruce, general editor, New International Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1979.
