pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: emptied


by Leave a comment

Adopt the Attitude

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5 – “Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.”

Paul begins chapter 2 writing about choosing humility over selfishness. This brings unity and joy to the body of believers in Philippi and also to the world around them. The same is true today. Turning to verse 5, Paul connects this idea to the example set by Jesus Christ. Here we read, “Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.” In other words: be like Jesus.

Using what is believed to be an early Christian hymn that predates the writing of Philippians, Paul lays out “the attitude of Christ.” Holding more power than anyone before or since, Jesus did not exploit it. Just the opposite: he emptied himself, “taking the form of a slave.” Jesus chose to be a servant to all, not a master over all. Each of us hold some degree of power, whether over many people or just a few. Do we do as Christ did, using our power not to exploit but to lift others up?

Jesus became humble without limits – except in his love. Jesus’ love knew no bounds. His humility led to an absolute obedience to God, driven by his love of God, which ended at the cross. Jesus never sought to glorify self or to draw any attention to self, practicing a piety that was not about self in any way. He sought to serve, to love, to teach and practice forgiveness. Through this example, God “highly honored” Jesus, giving him “the name above all names:” Lord.

Jesus was first in line in heaven, seated at God’s right hand. Coming to earth he stood at the end of the line, thinking of self last. Because of his humble obedience to God, Jesus became the first of many to enter the kingdom of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, others, others, others. Serve, serve, serve. Give, give, give. Lift up, lift up, lift up. Forgive, forgive, forgive. Surrender, surrender, surrender. Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love… Amen.


by Leave a comment

Emptied

Reading: Philippians 2: 5-9

Verse 7: “He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness”.

Photo credit: freestocks

Paul begins chapter two in his letter to the church in Philippi with an invitation to “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” with Jesus Christ. Paul encourages the church to “look not only to your own interests” and invites them to this: “in humility consider others better than yourselves”. These are the ideas and invitations that proceed our reading for today. In today’s passage Paul calls on us to have the attitude of Christ.

Speaking of the incarnation Paul begins by reminding us that Jesus gave up his divinity, his “equality with God”. Jesus made the choice to be like us: “He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness”. Instead of coming as the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing, almighty God that he was and is, Jesus emptied himself of all this and came in human form. Jesus humbled himself to walk as one of us.

The act of emptying oneself is something we are called to, especially during Lent. The ongoing invitation in the season of Lent is to look within, to find that which limits our obedience to God, and to die to these things. Jesus gave up much to be like us. We are asked to do the same for him: give up our human rights, wants, desires… to be like Christ.

So on this last Friday in March, as we stand on the edge of Holy Week, we ask ourselves: What do I need to empty from my life to be more like Jesus Christ? What do I need to die to so that I can serve him better? How will I let these parts of me go?

Prayer: Lord God, open my eyes and heart to that within me that keeps me from walking closer to you. Give me the courage to look within, whether deeply or in the shallow end. Elevate the voice of the Holy Spirit to speak truth into my soul. Make me more like Jesus Christ. Amen.


by Leave a comment

What Love

Reading: Psalm 148: 1-6

Verse 5: “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created”.

The opening stanza of Psalm 148 is where we begin today. It speaks of the heavens’ call to praise God the creator. The angels, sun, moon, stars, and sky are called to praise God because “he commanded and they were created”. The word was spoken, the decree given, and they all came into being. As we read of angels or look up into the starry sky, they indeed reveal God’s glory and power and might and draw out praise.

These verses remind me once again of the immense power of God. With a word, billions upon billions of stars were created. Not only that, God knows each by name (Psalm 147:4). This stirs up two thoughts in me. The first is my smallness. When I think of the stars and all else that God created, it is awesome. In comparison to that, I am small. And yet God formed me in the womb, knit me together with his own hands (Psalm 139:13). Even though I am small in the grand scope of creation, I am special to God. That is pretty amazing. And the same is all true for you.

The second thought it draws me to, especially at this time of year, is the thought that God – the creator of more than we can even begin to wrap our minds around – chose to take on flesh and walk among us. God incarnate did not hold onto his divinity but instead emptied himself, becoming like us so that through Jesus Christ we can find life abundant and life eternal. What love God has for you and me. What love. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are higher than the heavens, deeper than the sea, and you are the creator of all things. And you dwell in my heart. Wow. Thank you, God. Amen.