Giving Up Power in Order to Serve Others – Philippians 2

A text – Philippians 2:5-11

2:5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,
2:8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross.
2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
2:11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A reflection:

Some of you know that I was a laborer in conflict and discernment situations in congregations and in larger church bodies for nearly 30 years. This passage of Philippians was our dwelling passage for that work.  Why? Because the posture of Jesus in this famous early “hymn” of the Church – “The Christ Hymn” – shows us how to love and serve the neighbor the way Jesus loves and serves us.

It says to have this sort mind and attitude, which Jesus embodied:

• Not regarding his own God-ness as something to be used, exploited, or grasped
• Emptying himself of God-ness and taking the posture or form of a human slave
• Obeying humanity, giving us what we truly need, even when it killed him, even by crucifixion

Therefore God exalts Jesus and gives him the name above all other names, so that every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord. This exalting of Jesus glorifies God the Father.

Have that posture, take that risk, give it all up in service of the neighbor, so that God may be glorified.

Jesus gave up all to spend his life with us, serve us, and free us back into life with his Father in heaven. Our Father, who loves us. This hymn tells us we should live like that, giving up everything to free someone else into the deep and powerful love of God. This posture is important when you are in conflict or trying to discern a shared future with people you don’t know or may not trust. It throws us upon the mercy of God and the hospitality of our neighbors. We give up our power in order to serve them. We give up our comfort in order to free them. We take the side of the marginalized and dispossessed, just as Jesus always does. And we needn’t fear for our future. Jesus was raised from the dead, and God will raise us, too. All to God’s glory.

So don’t be afraid. Set aside your power and use it for the weak. Set aside your privilege and use your connections for those who need a lift. You won’t be disappointed, and Jesus will see you.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us chances to set aside our power and privilege to serve the neighbor. Help us to see the times and places we can do this. Help us to empty ourselves as often as we can serve another for your sake.  Amen.