‘Let this mind be in you….’
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
The apostle Paul here tells us as Christians that we who trust in Christ should follow His example and humble ourselves now, trusting that God will also raise us up and exalt us to reign with Christ Jesus after we have suffered a while in this world. But in these words, the apostle teaches us much about the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lord Jesus is true God, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and He would not be taking undue honor to Himself to be equal with God. Indeed, He is the eternal Son of God through whom God created the heavens and the earth and gave to man life, both spiritual and physical (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; John 1:1-5).
Yet, this same Lord Jesus, true God with the Father and the Spirit, took on our nature and was born a true man, “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary” (Apostle’s Creed). And not only did Jesus not make full use of His divine attributes – his divine power, knowledge, glory, etc. – and live humbly as a man in this world, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried” (Apostle’s Creed).
And why did He do this? Why did God the Son take on human flesh and blood, live humbly as a man in this world and then suffer and die upon the cross? That He might make atonement for our sins and redeem us from sin, death and the power of the devil (cf. Isaiah 53:5-6; John 1:29; Hebrews 2:14-17; 4:15; 7:26-27; Galatians 3:10,13; 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Luther explains this in his explanation to the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.”
The eternal Son of God humbled Himself and became man and suffered and died upon the cross that you and I might be redeemed and become His own – that through faith in Him and His shed blood, we might be forgiven and restored to fellowship with God our Maker. That we might become a part of Christ’s eternal kingdom and dwell in the presence of God forever (cf. John 3:16-17; Colossians 1:1923; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God the Father, a position of power and glory in which He rules over all and works to build His Church and establish His kingdom (cf. Acts 1:9; Luke 24:51; Ephesians 1:15-23; 4:8-16; Psalm 2; 110:1; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
And what does God’s Word call upon us to do? To have the same mind as Christ Jesus: to humble ourselves in this world – to sacrifice our lives in this world – that those for whom Christ died and shed His holy and precious blood might hear the Gospel of forgiveness and life in Jesus’ name and repent, looking to Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness. Indeed, that is what Jesus calls us to do as His redeemed, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature (cf. Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8).
And as Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted, so we are assured that we who humble ourselves and trust in Christ will be exalted with Him. The Bible promises us that we will be receive a crown of life and reign with Him forever and ever (cf. 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 2:10; 22:5).
“Let this mind be in you….” Amen. O Dearest Lord Jesus, we thank and praise You for humbling Yourself, taking on our nature and going to the cross to redeem us and make us Your own. Grant that we have the same mind in us, that we humble ourselves and trust in You and then live our lives for You that others, too, might hear of You and the salvation You won for all. Keep us in the true and saving faith until we are exalted to reign with You in heaven. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]