Devotional

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV)

Christ ascended the cross of Calvary to purchase and claim a people for himself with his blood. If you are a Christian, you belong to him; you have been adopted into his family. That means you have a new inheritance, a new authority in your life, and new family customs and habits to make your own. This means we ought to have the “mind ofChrist,” a new attitude and outlook for your life. Christ is now your new family example. We look to the cross of Christ as our example of humility, service, obedience, and hopeful expectation of exaltation.

We look to the cross of Christ as our example of humility, service, obedience, and hopeful expectation of exaltation.

Christ humbled himself by emptying himself and becoming a servant. As we belong to him, we ought to humble ourselves under the Lord’s will and serve others. This is incredibly practical stuff. Christ came as a servant to care for us, bear our burdens, and love us selflessly. Who has God put in your life, and how can you serve them as Christ served you?

As Christ was obedient even to the point of death upon a cross to save us from our sins, so shouldn’t we put our sin to death, deny ourselves, and follow Christ in obedience? Again, let's get practical; what sins have you been living in bondage to? Christ died to free you from the bondage of sin. Look to Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, walk in obedience.

Even though our best obedience is tainted by sin, in Christ, God graciously accepts our obedience, not as merit...

 Christ’s obedience and suffering resulted in his exaltation to the highest place imaginable for the glory of God. So, as we look to Christ, we can be assured that our obedience will never result in our shame but will be for the glory of God. Even though our best obedience is tainted by sin, in Christ, God graciously accepts our obedience, not as merit, but as delight in his beloved sons and daughters. We often sin because we distrust God’s love and care for us, but the cross of Christ ought to convince us otherwise. We ought to remember the words of 1Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Look to Christ your example, knowing that no sin is comparable to the exaltation that awaits us in Christ.

Liturgy

Lord of our salvation,

We give thanks for Christ, who humbled himself
by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Help us to marvel at the humility of Christ
who did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but who loved us at our lowliest while we were dead in our sin
and who, by his sacrifice, claimed us for himself.

By the Holy Spirit, help us to walk humbly
and to serve those you have put in our life
by bearing one another’s burdens,
and loving and caring for one another selflessly.

Renew our hearts so that we can fight our sin
and walk in obedience, whatever the cost.
Take all of our anxieties, for we trust in you,
and you have given us every reason to believe
that you care for us.

 We pray this for the glory of your name, Amen.