continuous whole

Philippians 2:5-7

"5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"

We are studying “Attend worship regularly.” We began by reading from Psalm 122. These verses express the joyful anticipation of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for worship. Those same ideas and themes continue in church services around the world today: communal worship that is a shared experience and brings joy to those who love God. In these gatherings, the Holy Ghost helps people encounter God and transforms their lives.

Jewish tradition was centered on the coming Messiah. Jesus is that Messiah. Christian tradition centers on the life, death, resurrection, and eventual return of our Lord and Savior. We are tempted to see these as distinct traditions. The more accurate perspective is that they form one continuous whole.

Today’s verses present Jesus Christ as the supreme model of humility and selfless service for believers to emulate in their relationships with one another. The passage exhorts Christians to adopt the same mindset as Christ, who, despite possessing the very nature and equality of God, did not exploit His divine status for His own advantage.

Instead of clinging to His glory, Jesus voluntarily “emptied Himself” by taking the form of a servant (bond-servant) and being made in the likeness of human beings. This act of kenosis (self-emptying) is understood not as a loss of divinity, but as the voluntary addition of human nature and the relinquishing of independent divine privileges in order to serve humanity.

Key theological and practical points include:

The mindset of Christ: Believers are called to reject selfishness and pride, considering others more significant than themselves.

Voluntary humiliation: Jesus’ descent from the highest place in the universe to the lowest position of a slave was a deliberate choice driven by love and obedience to the Father.

Incarnation: The text affirms that Jesus is fully God and fully human, and it presents Him as the ultimate example of how to live a life of humble service.