Read: Philippians 2:1-11
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (v. 8)
My granddaughter Luna is nearly five years old, and one of her favorite games is follow-the-leader. Most of the time, she wants me to be the leader. I’ll do an action, then she’ll imitate me and exclaim with a big grin: “Look, Poppy! I’m being just like you!”
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he was essentially calling them to look at Jesus and play follow-the-leader. Quoting one of the earliest hymns, Paul testifies to the way that Jesus, though in the form of God, did not use his power and authority for his own advantage. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and he humbled himself . . . even to the point of death on a shameful cross!
Theologian and author Richard Foster points out that Jesus didn’t just die a “cross-shaped death;” he also lived a “cross-shaped life.” The entirety of Jesus’s life and ministry was about emptying himself, lowering himself, and using his power to serve and lift others up. The cross is the ultimate example of self-giving love.
As followers of Jesus, we too are called to live a cross-shaped life. We can only imitate Jesus when we are first abiding in him (John 15), united with Christ by the Spirit, so that his very life and power flows through us into the lives of others. Then can we exclaim to our heavenly Father, “Look, Abba! We’re being just like you!”
As you pray, ask God to show you someone you can humbly serve today as you imitate Jesus.
Brian Keepers has been an ordained pastor in the Reformed Church in America for more than 20 years. He is currently serving as the lead pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. Brian is married to Tammy, and they have two daughters and a granddaughter.
