Serving as Christ Served

KEY VERSE: “Let this mind be in you, which was also In Christ Jesus: Who … made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” —Philippians 2:5-7

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:27-30; 2:1-11

THESE are wonderful words of life! Jesus was originally a great spirit being known as the Word of God. As God’s representative, Jesus created everything that has been created, except himself, and yet he was willing to leave his position as a spirit being and come down to the earth. He did not try to exalt himself as Lucifer had done when given some authority. He desired to do only the Father’s will. He was without pride. He had no spirit of self-seeking. He had no vainglory. He gave up his heavenly home and became a man.

Jesus then became the servant of those whom he himself had created. He became the servant of man. In Luke 22:27 he asked, “Whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.” Even if Jesus had not been the one who had brought man into existence, his human experience would have been a demonstration of humility. But his was a greater demonstration of humility when we realize that, as the agency of his Father he had created the human race, and later had become a man in order to lay down his life for man’s salvation.

There were some who appreciated Jesus as a perfect man. Some marveled at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth—that never man spoke as this man. But he humbled himself still further by dying not an ordinary death, but upon the cross. It was an ignominious death between two thieves. However, the Heavenly Father had declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” and that is all that mattered to Jesus.—Matt. 3:17

Because of Jesus’ faithfulness unto death, his resurrection and exaltation to glory, we read that those in heaven, those in earth, and those under the earth (in their tombs), will come forth. (Phil. 2:10,11) Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. These words tell of the blessing to come to all the families of the earth because of our Lord’s humility.

With these thoughts before us, think again of the text, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is our example of humility. We should have the same spirit as Christ, the same disposition of humility, of course, to the limited degree of our imperfect state. He had much to give up! How little we have—What have we that we have not received? Then how much cause have we for vainglory and self exaltation?

In our fellowship we should remember the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God toward us in our imperfections, and how we have the assurance that the Heavenly Father and our Lord understand and forgive our shortcomings. This will help us to manifest the same spirit toward the imperfections of our brethren.

We should remember the sweet fellowship that the truth has brought into our lives. Those who have not realized the emptiness of the fellowship of this world cannot understand what the apostle is speaking of when he refers to the fellowship of the Spirit. We should be careful to protect this sweet fellowship at all costs, making the body of Christ a living partnership.

This letter was addressed to the Philippians, but its message is good for the whole family of God. Christians everywhere and anywhere should have an abundance of love for one another as Jesus did.

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