Philippians 2:5-11
5Let 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.
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This is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Scholars think that Paul is quoting a hymn, based on its rhythm and style. And for good reason, because like in our hymnals, the hymns distill and capture essential messages about our faith.
And the messages? There are several, I think.
First, Jesus is divine, co-equal with God the Father. He is Lord. “Lord”, the word, is the very name of God in the Hebrew Bible.
Second, this God, this Lord, did not sit in heaven, high and mighty and disinterested in us. Instead, he came down and lived a human life. But unlike most of us, he served God the Father faithfully, perfectly, even unto death.
Third, with his resurrection, everything except God the Father is subordinate to Jesus, is under his power. Other parts of the Bible tell how this will happen upon his return.
Here we find our core belief. As one scholar put it, “Jesus is both human and divine, and the agent by which God has saved a fallen world.”
Here is a bit of homework for each of us. Which of our hymns makes this same point? Which is your favorite?
And finally, how does it change your life, to know that a divine being came down to earth, and suffered with us, even unto death, to teach us, to set an example for us, to love us. And especially, to save us from ourselves?
Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to be thankful for your saving example, and grant us the will and courage to follow it in our own lives.
—Max Fritzler