Monday Devotional: March 27, 2023

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Devotional

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 (NRSVUE)

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The apostle Paul writes these words to the church in Philippi from a Roman prison. His crime? He follows Jesus of Nazareth. His Christian faith has led to hostility, opposition, and dubious charges being brought against him, leading to Paul’s now being, in his own words, “in chains for Christ” (Phil. 1:13, NIV). This is by no means the first time Paul has suffered for being a follower of Christ. He has been flogged and beaten with rods. On other occasions, he suffered shipwreck, stoning, and all kinds of troubles because of his faith. And now, he sits “in chains for Christ” to pen a letter to his friends in Philippi. Within a short period of time, Paul will suffer a martyr’s death. So what does he write?

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who…emptied himself…humbled himself, and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.” Remarkable words when we consider Paul’s setting. No hatred, no bitterness, no hardness of heart. Instead, an exhortation to possess and exhibit the Christlike attitude of service, sacrifice, and self-denial — even unto death. I can think of no other attitude or mindset that could possibly be more contrary to the ways of the world today. Can anything be more countercultural? More radical?

This is the way of Christ, the way of the cross, the way of godly love — an unfailing love that knows no limits, a nonlimiting love that “unknows” our failures. God calls us to this as followers of Christ. We hear it ourselves but then let it so take hold of us that it becomes our countercultural way of life.

Prayer

Lord, teach me how to be humble and show me how I can serve others today. To the glory of God the Father. Amen.

By Barry Sloan, The Upper Room Disciplines 2017, page 122.