Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Scott Tunseth.
This week we hear the first half of the second chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. And what a profound and beautiful message it is. Paul is writing to the Philippian congregation from prison somewhere. It’s not clear exactly where he is. The book of Acts tells of three different times Paul was imprisoned, but we aren’t sure which, if any, are the imprisonment he describes in this letter. In the end, what matters is that being in prison gave time to ponder his life and ministry. And this pondering brought to mind his friends in Phillipi.
He prays for them, gives thanks for them, and longs for them with the “tender affection of Jesus Christ” (1:8). He pleads with them to “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). And in chapter 2, he lays out what that means—to live in a manner worthy of Christ. Paul’s joy will be complete if the Philippian community of faith share the same mind and the same love. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others” (2:3-4).
It’s worth pausing there a moment. Unity depends on humility and looking out for the interests of others. Makes sense, but it is a radical concept in today’s world where personal humility and self-less service are sometimes in short supply. Paul goes on to tie this plea directly to the action and mind of Jesus Christ, “who though he existed in the form of God … emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” and “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death” (2:6-8).
This is the beating heart of Christian community: To serve one another and our neighbors humbly, looking first to their interests. I am heartened by the examples of humble service and servant leadership I see and experience. And I long to see more. Don’t you?
Holy Spirit, give us the mind of Christ so that our lives may be attuned to the needs of our neighbors. Amen.