(Read Philippians 2)
The church in Philippi had problems. What church doesn’t? Jealousy, corruption, infidelity, legalism, worship style, and interpretation aren’t unique to modern churches. Paul was well aware of the challenges facing the Philippian church and urged its members to show “compassion” and to remain united, being “one in spirit” with one another. In Philippians 2, Paul wrote about the importance of being Christ-like to serve others while helping heal the church. He encouraged them to cultivate a shared love, spirit, and mind. Embodying the same mindset as “Christ Jesus,” Paul knew that Christ-like attitudes would become Christ-like actions. In Philippi and around the world, then and now, believers are called to emulate Christ’s example of selflessness, humble servanthood, and sacrificial love.
At the heart of this passage is a powerful message about humility. Paul reminded his readers that Christ, though fully God, could have, but did not cling to His divine privileges. Instead, He humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant and even submitting to death on the cross. This ultimate act of humility shows us the depth of Jesus’ love and His commitment to serving others, not Himself.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:4
I recently had the opportunity to discuss spiritual matters with my daughter, who usually avoids such conversations. We were looking at 16 hours together in the car, so I knew we would run out of the mundane things to talk about. It was a gentle and respectful discussion, and since then, I’ve felt closer to her than ever. It was as if we had broken down some barriers between us. I asked her if she still believed in God — “Oh yes,” was her answer. It had been years since our last discussion about Jesus and even longer since her days of regular church involvement at our small country Lutheran church. She also holds claim to a belief in an afterlife, but after her comment that all people worship the same God, I could feel myself switch into the debate/teaching mode. Rather than listening and learning more, I had to dissect her point and win the contest.
After a period of silence, we moved on and talked about other things. Everything was good. I recalled a friend sharing that whenever he found himself grandstanding about the Gospel, asking questions, listening, and understanding how the other person really felt was always more effective. You can’t expect someone to open their hearts if you blast them with dogma. I also thought about some other friends who taught me that we can’t be shy about Christ, especially in your own family. There’s a right way and a wrong way. I have already tried the wrong way. None of us will convert or convince anyone of Jesus’ saving Grace by ourselves. That’s not our job; only the Holy Spirit can put a crack in someone’s armor.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8
“Do you think Jesus was humble?” I asked her. She wasn’t sure and said probably not. As a child, she learned about Jesus’ divinity and the miracles He performed, which partially helped me understand her response. I let it go. I didn’t respond by countering her response. I was a little upset at myself as a father for not instilling more clarity in her understanding of Jesus. I didn’t get emotional. I brought up her statement about everyone worshipping the same God and said, “My God, the God I believe in, came to Earth, died on a cross for me and everyone else for something we didn’t do. No other God has done that.”
She replied, “Well, that’s what you believe.”
“It sure is,” I said. I told her about a friend who, as a former Muslim, described all of the “things” they needed to do to earn favor from their god. “Christians get it wrong too,” I said, “when we tell people we have to do this and that to earn our place in His kingdom. It’s not about rules, restrictions, or rituals. There was no point in Jesus dying on the Cross if we must do more. There’s nothing more we can add. It’s about believing in the person of Jesus Christ.”
It was silent after this.
“One day, in the ICU, while attending to an unresponsive patient, I sat down and started talking to him,” she said. “He was dying. No one should die alone.”
“Did your charge nurse tell you to be with him?”
“No, it’s just something I did. I just talked to him.”
“That’s humility!” I shouted. “No one told you to do that; you weren’t commanded to, and there was no rule or procedure to follow. You did it because of your heart.” I have known her for 31 years, and I also believe that more than being the right thing to do, it was the beauty and humility of her faith.
In our daily lives, we are called to embody Christ’s same humility. This means setting aside our own desires, ambitions, and pride to serve and care for others. It means prioritizing the needs of those around us—whether in our families, workplaces, or communities.
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:30-37
Jesus’ parable was a fully exposed directive for kindness, compassion, charity, and humility. Even the law expert got the drift. Do we? It was one thing for Jesus to talk about loving thy neighbor. He had to give a plain, striking example of what that looks like. Samaritans and Jews hadn’t gotten along for 700-800 years, but Jesus is telling us that it doesn’t matter your people group, it matters that we’re all children of God. It’s about serving others, not ourselves.
Humility does not come naturally to us in a world that promotes self-promotion and individual achievement. Yet, absolute beauty abounds when we humble ourselves. We are lifted up in God’s eyes. When we adopt the attitude of Christ, seeking to serve rather than to be served, we reflect His love and bring glory to God. Anyone willing to lay down their life for a crime they didn’t commit is probably a pretty humble person. It’s “Substitution on the cross,” said Pastor Derwin Gray.
Being humble, valuing others above ourselves, and serving others is an outward show of living as Christ. When we feel compassion for someone, we should see this as a forceful nudge from God—maybe even an elbow in the ribs. If anyone on this planet demonstrated true humility, it was Jesus. He was fully God and fully man. He lowered himself to our level to serve us and save us. That is the ultimate sacrifice.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.
Philippians 2:9-10
Applying a broad brush, Paul reminded his followers that Jesus should be exalted, not them or us. When we serve someone else, making them more important than ourselves, no matter the cost, we do the service that Paul and Jesus asked of us. Once we get over the ego trip of submitting to someone else’s needs, we are living as Paul requested. We are giving God the glory.
In a baseball game last week, New York Mets pitcher Sean Manea had allowed one run through six innings. Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis had a no-hitter through eight innings. Between innings, Mets’ pitcher Manea got Bowden’s attention in the other dugout and tipped his hat to him. Francis acknowledged it with a gesture, putting his fist over his heart. Man, that’s humility. For a professional athlete to recognize another’s better performance in the middle of a game is pretty cool!
Every believer lives as an example of humility. If we truly believe in Jesus, it will ooze out of our pores and show up in our lives. When you need to be reminded of what living like Christ looks like, humble yourself, love others, serve others—and then look in the mirror.
Key Applications:
- Remember to serve and not to be served
- Focus your attitude on being like Christ, not like the world
- Count others more significant than you
- Being a servant is more about being than it is about doing