(Words in Bold and/or underlined are for emphasis; verses quoted are from the CSB – Christian Standard Bible)
One of the most profound and succinct passages in the Bible regarding the subjection and subsequent exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ is found in Philippians 2: 5-11:
“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death — even to death on a cross.
For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —
in heaven and on earth and under the earth —
and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 CSB)
In this passage of Scripture, Paul, the apostle, encourages the saints at Philippi, and by extension, to all believers, to have the same attitude, the same mind, as the Lord Jesus Christ.
In another place, we are told we possess the mind of Christ: “For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 CSB).
Do we really have the mind of Christ? Yes, we do. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ is revealed to us by Christ’s own life and teachings as recorded in the Bible.
Notice in verses 5-8 above, we have the descending humility and subjection of the Lord Jesus and in verses 9-11, we have the ascending exaltation of the Lord Jesus.
The mind of Christ that should govern our life is one that is Selfless, Sacrificial and Serving.
The Lord Jesus Christ put others ahead of Himself. He was an example of selflessness, as Paul states, “He did not please himself” (Romans 15:3 CSB). Jesus did not live for himself; his desire was to serve others, even to the point of death as our Substitute on the Cross. He loved all mankind as he sacrificed His own life in order that we, by faith, may be given the gift of eternal life.
Imagine, as the creator, he came to redeem his creation that had fallen due to sin. He took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. He was God manifest in the flesh. He allowed Himself to be beaten and tortured. He had his back ripped apart, was spit on, slapped, mocked and humiliated. His head was crushed with a crown of thorns. His back flogged that his bones were exposed. He became our substitute on the cross, taking upon himself the judgement of God against sin that was rightly ours.
Jesus demonstrated amazing humility – he went as low as he could possibly have gone!
Because the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross met the Father’s approval of righteous judgement against sin, Christ was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand.
Consider these verses speaking of His humility, love and sacrifice:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 CSB)
Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 CSB)
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15 CSB)
“This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16 CSB)
The Lord told his disciples, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” (John 13:34 CSB)
Here is more of Christ’s mind and desire for us – “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13 CSB)
To those of you who have already put your trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior – you are on the winning side because our Lord was victorious over sin, Satan, death, and the grave! You are part of His Body, the Church, and will be with Him forever! A New physical body, a New Earth and New Heavens await you and me!
While we await his coming again, might each of us surrender ourselves to God and His will daily. May we read the Bible and learn more and more of our Lord and Savior, that his mind may transform ours; in this way, we may strive to follow his example of living a life that is selfless, sacrificial and that serves others.