Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Nov 7, 2024 - Humble Like Jesus”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsHumble Like Jesus
Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Paul wants the Philippians to keep serving Jesus “whether I come to see you or am absent”(Phil 1:27), so he urges them toward unity. “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind”(Phil 2:2). We think in the same ways, love the same things, and have the same goals. There is one great enemy to this unity: the selfishness that dogs us all. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”(Phil 2:3-4). Our selfish ambitions tear us away from others; thoughtful service unites us.
This renunciation of selfish ambition originates with Jesus himself. “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”(Phil 2:6-8). Jesus refused to regard his divine privileges (including “equality with God”) as rights he would not give up. Of his own will, he “emptied himself,” embraced “the form of a servant” and became fully “obedient” to the will of God and the needs of men. It is only after this tremendous humiliation that “God has highly exalted him,” reinforcing Jesus’ statement that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted”(Matt 23:12). If Jesus can give up so much, I can surrender my petty desires and ambitions.
Disciples of Jesus do not simply sign up for a new set of beliefs. We grow to become more like him. Where our lives were previously about pleasure, accomplishment, esteem, and the acceptance of others, now we aim to honor our God and bless our fellowman. We “empty ourselves” like Jesus, trusting that following God’s will is more important than self-expression. We join ourselves to others who embrace the humble path. We become humble like Jesus.
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One Thing to Think About: Do I feel others’ needs and interests as keenly as my own?
One Thing to Pray For: The faith to relinquish my ambitions and seek for God to exalt me
