Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard this Scripture read, preached about or reflected on. Its popularity is shown in the countless songs written to reflect the last few verses. But at the root of it all, the text helps us remember the very reason God sent his Son to earth, and gives us specific examples of how to live our lives just as Jesus did.
The theme this week, “He Humbled Himself,” is very evident in this passage. In fact, the first thing that stood out to me as I read the text again was the first line in verse 7 – “but emptied himself.” Think about that for a moment – Jesus completely emptied himself and traveled to this earth to show us how to live. Other translations use the phrase “humbled himself” to tell of Jesus’ incredible sacrifice. Even before death on the cross, Jesus let go of the power he possessed in order to help us understand the relationship we shouldn’t miss out on.
“… so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend … and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father!”
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11 (NRSV)
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.