See How Much Christ Loved Us

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Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Devotion:

            In today’s scripture passage, Paul tells us that we are to have the same mind that Christ Jesus had toward us. This sounds like an impossible task for any mere mortal. How should a flesh and blood mortal think and love like God? In this section of scripture, Paul describes what that mind and love look like. So, today, we look at what the Son of God endured to save us from the mess that sin has made of our lives.

            The apostle begins by telling us that the mind of Jesus is already ours if we follow Jesus. He then goes on to describe what that mind looks like. Paul tells us that although Christ Jesus was in form and function, God, he did not count his position in the Godhead to be of more importance than the salvation of humankind. Theologians call this kenosis or self-emptying. Taking the time to behold this transformation from the very form of God into human flesh occupies the rest of the passage.

            The first step in Christ Jesus' kenosis was to leave His God-likeness and put on human-likeness. He then lived His life as a human among other humans. Christ Jesus suffered all the pleasure and pain of living as a human being. His divine nature is hidden but still present in His alongside his humanity. Christ Jesus even suffered and died the worst kind of death-crucifixion even though He had committed no crime or sin of any kind. His death was simply the result of mere human displeasure with Him.

            Paul is teaching us here that we should live out in our own lives, this self-emptying even to the point of our willingness to suffer and even die for the name of Jesus. We must even be willing to suffer with others in their tribulation and distress. We can dare to do this because we know that Christ suffered and died for us while we were still sinful unbelievers. Let us be courageous then in living a life that is Christ-honoring and faithful to our great God.

Devotion:

            Lord, we look with amazement at your incredible love for us. The thought that you would willingly suffer and die for us takes our breath away. We ask for courage to live the kind of life you lived among us. Please help us to be willing to do anything to follow you. May we even be able to suffer and die for you. Grant that we may have this mind, the very mind of Christ Jesus, living and working in and through us. Amen.

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