Philippians 2.6-7

Daily RCL Bible Reading Devotional – January 4th, 2016

Scripture Reading(s)

Philippians 2:5-11










Lydia.jpgI think that this passage provides for us a picture of what true humility really looks like. Christ is our ultimate example of humility. However, humility did not make Him any less powerful or great. The main goal of Christ’s humble act was to give us humans a chance to learn and imitate Him.

C.S. Lewis described humility in short yet profound words,


I believe that this passage highlights Christ’s definition of humility in two important ways.

1. Christ’s humility exemplified via sacrifice

Verse 7 talks about how Christ had to empty himself. This does not mean that He renounced His deity, however He did have to set aside His privileges in serval areas. A few of those areas include Him sacrificing His heavenly glory, earthly riches, and being with the Father without the physical separation of this world. Christ also sacrificed his physical body on the cross and endured the full payment for mankind’s sin.

2.  Christ’s example of humility through difficult obedience

Verse 8 talks about how God had required of Christ to go to the cross. The cross did not just include being beaten and then killed. Jesus went to the lowest form of His humiliation in dying as a criminal. The death on the cross was not a death that was experienced by any ordinary means. Only the most filthiest and violent criminals were hung on the cross for the world to see. As one commentator puts it, Christ experienced “the cruelest, most excruciating, most degrading form of death ever devised. The Jews themselves, hated this manner of execution”.

He became a human so that we know what it means to act, think, and live in a way that gives God Glory.  I encourage you try to have a humble heart as Jesus did.


Justin-Holmes1.jpgPaul instructs the Philippians by asking them, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” He then goes on to describe the what Christ’s version of humble meant; sacrifice and obedience, even unto  the point of death. All this Paul was asking to the Philippians while he was in prison, himself. Paul was not speaking from a viewpoint of inexperience. Both Paul and Jesus (and the disciples) went to their death out of such humility. So, why would Paul command the Philippian church to do likewise, knowing they also will be persecuted?

It is this self-sacrificing humility that continues to make the gospel so powerful. Even in the early church when Christians were continually being martyred Tertullian wrote that,


To a Roman provincial governor he wrote,


Even today in Asia and other countries where Christian’s are persecuted, scored of people are saved when they witness such bravery and humility in the face of trials and even death.


And what becomes of these martyrs? They are seated in the presence of God, having ran the race and receiving the prize.


Comments, curses, and blessings welcome!


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