Read: Philippians 2:1-11
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3–4
Paul encouraged the Philippian Christians to humble themselves and to place the interests of others before their own desires, because that was what Jesus did for us. Paul’s interpretation of Jesus’ actions were that Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Jesus was King among kings, Lord of lords, and the very Son of God—and yet Jesus was willing to embrace the life of a humble servant for our benefit. Jesus became a “man of the people” to save people just like us. If Jesus was willing to cast away his rightful position and royal claim in life in order to interact with and suffer for people like us, what should we be willing to do in order to be a saving presence in other people’s lives?
Can you humble yourself for the sake of others?
Lord, You do not stand aloof from my life. You do not keep the world at a safe distance. You plunge right in, even if it means drowning along with us. Encourage in me a willingness to dive to whatever depths I need to in order to reach the people You want me to serve. You are not only my Lord and Savior, You are also the example I wish to model my life after. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.