The Way of the CrossSample

Humbling Ourselves

Philippians 2:1-8

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Reflection on the passage:
One morning years ago, when I dropped my daughter Grace off at her elementary school, I remember seeing the school principal enthusiastically and voluntarily kneel down on the cement in front of the school to tie the shoes of a disheveled little first grade boy. I recognized the boy as the one who frequently caused disciplinary issues in Grace’s classroom, and so I was all the more touched by his loving action toward this child. This tiny Christ-like act points to the unfathomable act of humility and love so beautifully expressed in the ancient “Christ hymn” found in Philippians 2.

What greater “stooping down” could there be than Christ Jesus, who was “in very nature God,” not considering His “equality with God” as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead Christ made Himself comparatively “nothing” by becoming a human servant and then humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.

Since we are united to Christ Jesus, we are to share His humble mindset. We too are called to the path of humility, the way of the cross. This has profound implications for our attitudes and relationships with one another, as Paul reminds the Philippians in his letter. Only as we humble ourselves by giving up our own self-interests and serving one another will we be able to live in loving unity.

The way of the world is to use any power, status, position, success, or resources that we have for our own advantage. The way of Christ is to use it for the advantage of others. The way of the world is to look out for “number one” and to tell ourselves that we deserve it. The way of Christ is to let go of having our own way and being right, and instead to humbly serve others, looking out for their interests. This applies to large- and small-scale actions – from decisions at the political and societal level to letting someone else having the last piece of cake.

By the grace of God, as we abide in Christ, may we choose this day to kneel down to serve another, forgetting our own status or wants, and walking in the way of Jesus.

Suggested spiritual practices:
Meditate on Philippians 2:3-8

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you prayerfully reflect on these verses.
2. Ponder Christ’s amazing act of love and humility and offer God praise and thanksgiving.
3. Think about a key relationship in your life (whether at home, church, or work) and reflect on ways that you might practice more humility, service, or care for this person.
4. Pray for this person and your relationship, asking for Christ’s mindset of humility.