Exploring the Scripture

This text gives an excellent model for talking about the need to mirror Christ’s attitude and about our interactions with one another. This Philippian hymn helps us see the events of Holy Week as part of Christ’s humility and surrender to God’s will. It talks about Christ’s incarnation, crucifixion, and surrender.

This letter of Paul was written to the church in Philippi, which was one of the first known churches in Europe. Paul is saying to the Philippian church, look at the Son of God. He was equal to God, yet he emptied himself of all ambitions and desires and became one of us. Jesus surrendered his will to that of God. Because of this, he was victorious.

Today as we focus on Passion Sunday, we see the attitude of Christ in these verses, as he enters Jerusalem and eventually to the cross. Paul quotes this hymn as a pattern for us to live by and consider. Christ calls us to a life of self-surrender.

The church at Philippi struggled with people putting their interests before others. There was a danger of the church being divided. Paul was in prison, and he had seen how the example of Christ had helped him overcome his inabilities. Therefore, Paul looked at Christ and urged the church to consider his example. Paul wanted the church in Philippi to surrender personal interest for the church’s good.

There are times when our interests can come before the interests of God and Christ’s mission. Also, there are times when we prefer our interest to that of another. We need to heed the lesson to the Philippian church, to surrender our interests for the good of Christ and his mission. If such an attitude is adopted, then a spirit of unity will prevail. When there is unity, the Holy Spirit is present. Then, the mission of the church can be carried out more effectively. God’s will is done in us.

Also, we hear the words, “that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6). God will finish the work with or without us. The work of God will go on. We are not indispensable, and we can either yield ourselves to God or not. To be part of God’s work, we need to empty ourselves of our motives and ambitions so the Divine’s will is done in us, like in Christ.

We need to put aside our personal agendas to enable God’s work to be done in and through us. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, worked for the good of all. When we empty ourselves and follow Christ, God is glorified. The task is not beyond us, for we have the strength of Christ to fall on. You can depend on Christ’s power to help. God is at work in us, enabling us to do God’s will.

Project Zion Podcast

Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

LISTEN

Central Ideas

1. Paul uses a hymn that celebrates the self-emptying of Christ. He took on himself the form of a servant, even to death on a cross, to encourage the church to empty themselves of their opinions and yearnings
2. Describing Christ as a servant to be mirrored is a message that has spoken to the church through the centuries.
3. Christ calls us to a life of self-surrender.
4. We see the story of Passion Sunday through the lens of Christ’s humility and surrender to God’s will
5. We need to put aside our agendas so the work of God can be done in and through us.

Questions to Consider

1. In what ways would our response to Christ’s mission change if we could focus our minds on the example of Christ?
2. What agendas do people have in your congregation? How do these need to be dealt with? Of what do we need to let go?
3. How does the example of a life of self-surrender speak to your community, neighborhood, or city?