Christ Hymn

Philippians 2:5-11 (English Standard Version)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Having become recently aware of this text and the speculation about it, that it is actually a hymn about Christ, as the meter roughly works out when spaced as above, I decided to land here for a bit in my devotion. It tells the three phases of the humiliation of Christ (a cool way of describing his earthly ministry). The three phases are his decision not to count equality with God, his taking on the likeness of sinful flesh, and his dying on a cross. Oh that we could adequately understand the depth of his humility! Look at this. Consider further his holiness. Consider his eternal nature and his infiniteness. He became a man. He came and humbled himself and took on our form. How great is his grace! Consider it further today, and revel in it. Truly God is good to us.

I wanted to die in dust and ashes as I compared my heart to his. Pride is natural to my heart. Even when I act humble it is often for people to notice it and to notice me and think higher of me. I want glory. I hate to see that written, but it must be true of my own heart. Recently, Lauren and I discussed watching Lord of the Rings. She didn't want to see Gollum. He creeps her out. I took it as a teaching opportunity and discussed how her heart is Gollum. We laughed and discussed the possible symbolism, but it is true, in the end, of my heart as well. I am grasping. John Piper calls the heart an idol factory and I have to agree. My heart is grasping. It always wants more and seeks after some idol or another. Look deep into the motivations of your actions and you should see it as well. It is there.

Let us now turn to Christ's heart. I want to point out three things that are nearly unbelievable. (v.7) He made himself nothing. This is such a beautiful phrase of humility. He didn't make himself an example, a martyr, a Savior, or a Lord, though he is all of those things. He made himself nothing. It is true humility that we see here. Not flaky humility like mine that acts humble in order to be made something else. He made himself nothing.

(v.9) God exalted him. Again, my heart loves opportunities to subtly recommend myself. I love for people to find out about my actions or exploits where they are (at least in appearance) humble. Jesus did no such thing. He did as he did for God, and allowed any recommendation to come from God. Herein is a huge point. God was Jesus' end. Jesus didn't humble himself in order for God to do something. He didn't humble himself to gain. He humbled himself and did not honor himself, but allowed God to honor him, because God was his purpose. He did as he did for God.

Which leads into the final point of my conviction, (v.11) to the glory of God the Father. Jesus' humility and subsequent honoring from God are not ultimately for Jesus' glory but for the glory of the Father.

What precious truths. What shall we do with them? Paul gives this to the Philippians so that they might have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Submit your heart to God's truth here and dwell in his very words spoken to you.