I am 28 years old and have been striving to follow Jesus for over half of my life. Because I have been following Christ for 15 of the most formative years of my life, I feel that I should begin to look quite like Jesus, himself. I should walk, talk, love, and interact in ways that reflect the life of Jesus. However, just the other day, I was astounded at how selfish I can still be!
I was challenged by a recent reading Philippians 2:3-8 which says,
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!”
You have just read 3 of the most outrageous claims in the entire Bible!
Outrageous Claim #1- Jesus, who is God himself did not use his divinity for his own advantage.
Outrageous Claim #2- Rather, Divine Jesus became a servant.
Outrageous Claim #3- Divine Jesus humbles himself to the point of death on a cross.
Even though Jesus was God, he did not abuse his power for his own glory or selfish desires. Instead, he took on the form of a servant. Not only did he serve, he sacrificed. He gave up everything for the sake of others. Although this passage makes no sense in the minds of most, this passage reveals the heart of our God. Our God is humble, selfless and sacrificial.
We are to live a life of service and self-expenditure in the same way Jesus Christ did. When we do, we will participate in the sufferings of Jesus Christ and the power of God will be seen in our lives. We will live a life characterized by the Kingdom of God for the glory of God. Let us be imitators of our selfless and humble Savior.
Greg Salmon – Pastor of Student Ministries
