The boldness with which Jesus loved
Daily Scripture
Philippians 2:5-11
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
As part of Resurrection’s 35th anniversary celebration, the church has created four 30-second TV spots to encourage church attendance (at any church). To see the spot titled “Why Church-Children,” or share this on social media, use this link: https://vimeo.com/1125548066?fl=pl&fe=sh.
God in Christ boldly ignored human ideas. Jesus was not the type of “king” people expected. He was not the kind of “savior” human wisdom imagined. He was not “God with us” in a way meant to fit many of our visions of what it means to be God. The early Christian hymn quoted in today’s reading did not focus first on Jesus’ power or majesty. It said he “emptied himself” (the literal Greek verb used in 2:7) for us. Jesus set aside the divine privileges that were his by right and came to serve and even suffer.
- The New International Reader’s Version * used simple English to show how this hymn pictured Jesus’ bold ministry pattern: “He made himself nothing…. He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross!” Does that kind of “career path” (or “life path”) strike you as foolish, or do you sense its bold courage? How does this deepen your understanding of what it means to want to “be like Jesus”?
- How can Jesus’ type of true humility open your heart to valuing ‘God with us’? Scholar H.C. Hewlett defined humility as “the recognition of our true littleness as those dependent utterly on God” **—more than just yielding outwardly while remaining inwardly resistant or resentful. What inner barriers to loving people boldly might this kind of humility help clear away?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, an old hymn says you could have called 10,000 angels to take you off the cross. But you chose to save me rather than cling to your own comfort or dignity. Grow your attitude in my heart. Amen.
GPS Insights
Penny Ellwood
Penny Ellwood, who serves as the Location Pastor for Resurrection Blue Springs in Blue Springs, MO, originally wrote today's Insights in March, 2024.
When I read the hymn that Paul quoted in Philippians 2, it reminds me of a game my mom used to have my sister and me play when we were small. She’d suggest it on those days when we were trapped inside and needed a distraction. She would have us get out hand mirrors and hold them facing up just under our noses. Then she’d tell us to go for a walk on the ceiling but to make sure we looked out for the obstacles on the way.
Looking down into the mirror made it appear we were walking on the ceiling. You’d have to watch out for the ceiling lights and make sure to step over the door frames. Everything appeared to be upside down and you’d notice things on the ceiling that you didn’t typically give much attention. It was a whole new upside-down world for my sister and me to explore.
Similarly, Christianity is a kind of an upside-down world where everything works on principles opposite to those of the world around us. To be blessed, be a blessing to others. To receive love, give love. To be honored, first be humble. To truly live, die to yourself. To receive, first give. To save your life, lose it. To lead, be a servant. To be first, be last.
Paul used the hymn’s beautiful lyrics to urge the Philippians, and you and I, to “adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.” He invites us to rethink our attitudes based on Christ’s attitudes and actions–to boldly see things upside-down.
Obviously, living up to the attitude of Christ is not easy. It’s a pursuit that takes daily fostering through things like Bible reading, listening to praise and worship music, connecting with other Christians who encourage you in your walk, serving others, and spending time getting to know Christ himself through prayer. There are a wide variety of ways you can renew your Christlike mind. The key is to do something every day.
I think sometimes we try to accomplish too much too soon. In any season, we can take time to focus on a few specific things that might turn us back toward Christ or help us make an adjustment in our attitudes. We can be bold enough to take a few forward steps and make a little progress. It’s never too late. I’d invite you to take a walk on the ceiling! We could all do with a little upside-down perspective.
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* New International Reader’s Version (NIRV). Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission.
** H. C. Hewlett, “Philippians” in F. F. Bruce, general editor, New International Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1979, p. 1444.
