Are You Able to Give Up Your Foolish Pride?

Are You Able to Give Up Your Foolish Pride?

⁵Good Morning Friends,

As we track the footsteps of Jesus on this Tuesday, Jesus again returns to Jerusalem where he is confronted by the Temple leadership for what he did the day before. They question his authority. So Jesus tells them the parable of the vineyard, the parable of the wedding banquet, instructs them on paying taxes and then rebukes the Sadducees who deny the resurrection. Look for the story in the book of Matthew but not directly in today’s scripture. Still today’s scripture has something in common with these stories and it is the need for humility. So get off our thrones and come sacrificially and humbly to the work at hand. Be transformed with the renewing of your mind. Allow yourself to be changed. You too can become a symbol of God’s glory but be careful.  Do not be wise in your own estimations. Are You Able to Give Up Your Foolish Pride?

Scripture: Let the same mind be in you that was^* in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, ⁸he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

Philippians 2:5-9 (NRSV)

²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

John 12:26 (NRSV)

12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,^* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:1 (NRSV)

Message:  In today’s scripture Paul asks his dear friends in Philippi to think of themselves the way Christ thought of himself, to take on the obedient status of a slave, without privilege, humble, selfless. He asks a lot and yet this has a very practical purpose. If the church is going to be healthy then we each have to have the mindset of Christ.  If you have the mind of Christ you will be free from selfish ambition, but there is more. You will not want power and position. You will realize that God is personally interested in each of us. You will not be concerned if you have not received recognition. You will be balanced in the mystery of Jesus- His divinity and his humanity.  Take this thought on a journey through the life of Jesus. Search for Jesus this morning in the cradle, the cross, the crypt and the crown during this Holy Week. Look to the cradle with the mind a child. The manger may indeed be emotionally empty today. So empty yourself as well. Look to the cross and remember that He is no longer there. The crucifixion is complete. We can die to our needs and self-interests. We can crucify ourselves, to take up our cross.  If you seek the Lord do not bother looking in the tomb- that crypt is forever victoriously vacant. If you are searching for Jesus, empty yourself and look up and hear His thundering voice on the wings of the wind. He is on the right hand of God…on a throne once more. To be like Christ then is indeed a difficult proposition. We must glorify God without equating that experience to exalt our own status. We must be as a slave, loving each other while clinging to those things eternal. Therefore allow Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection to count for something so that you might live to Christ in His kingdom. Those that truly put their faith in Christ, trust in Christ, live in Christ will share the glory in heaven with Jesus. Receive the attitude of Christ as a gift and find purpose in pleasing Him.

Pray with humility. Pray with Jesus and listen carefully to his final teachings just before his passion. Pray we embrace the way of humility. Pray we are both amazed and disturbed by a humble God. Pray we see God as a lion and a lamb. Pray we realize that God’s strength is disguised as weakness. Pray we realize that God has a plan and is in control. Pray that Holy Week becomes holy for us too.

Blessings,

John Lawson