BIBLE STUDY for June 28, 2020 the Mindset of Jesus by Mark Caldwell
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BIBLE STUDY for June 28, 2020 The Mindset of Jesus By Mark Caldwell Christians are called to possess Jesus’ mindset of humility with each other. Scripture- Philippians 2:1-11 On Your Own Quick Study Read the Scripture passage. Observe – what is God saying? Identify key words or ideas. What theme is being expressed? Can you summarize in your own words what the passage is saying? Apply – what are you going to do about it? Note some things that initially may be relevant to your situation and how you may be able to apply the passage. Observation INTRODUCTION/CONTEXT Paul does not state the specifics of what Epaphroditus told him about the state of the Philippian church (2:25). However, the fact that he mentions Euodia and Syntyche by name and urges them “to agree in the Lord” points to conflict between these sisters (4:2). Furthermore, Paul urges one of his coworkers to help them resolve their differences (4:3). Whatever the nature of the disagreement, one can reasonably infer that it was a threat to the unity of the church. It is likely that Euodia and Syntyche were prominent members of the church. Finally, we should also remember that this letter was meant to be read aloud to the church. Paul addresses this conflict by using Christ as the supreme example of humility. Paul also shows that because of Christ’s humility and obedience, God exalted Christ to the highest place, all to the glory of God the Father. SCRIPTURE PASSAGE Philippians 2:1-4 Unity of mind is not easily cultivated when people from various backgrounds and temperaments share each other’s company. However, God has given his people the resources to make such unity possible. God supplies encouragement from Christ’s risen life. There is comfort in God’s love (see Rom. 5:5). We have received the Spirit, both individually and corporately. The Spirit binds us together in fellowship with one another. The result of our Spirit-controlled common life should be tender and compassionate hearts. All of these conditions exist within the believing community to produce a sense of oneness and common purpose. Paul already said that his prayers for the Philippian church are made “with joy” (1:4). Now he says: “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (2:2, ESV). Paul is appealing for sincere consensus among them. Paul is not under a false illusion that they will all see eye-to- eye on every subject. Life would be boring without the give and take of various opinions and viewpoints found in honest and friendly discussion. However, the discussion ceases to be friendly when each one seeks to get his or her own way. Unlike “Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first” (3 John 9, ESV), we are to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit” (2:3a, ESV). Selfish ambition and conceit are rooted in pride. Pride should have no place in the Christian life. Instead, we should value humility because God places a premium on this virtue. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5, ESV; quoting Prov. 3:34). Although Jesus was “gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29, NIV), his disciples repeatedly failed to learn this lesson. When they argued about which one would be the greatest in the kingdom of God, Jesus taught them that the rulers of the Gentiles “lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45, ESV). Rather, “in humility, count others more significant than yourselves” (2:3b, ESV). Paul’s command is easy to understand, but it is so difficult to live out. Due to our fallen nature, putting others first does not come naturally. Neither does looking to the interests of others (2:4; also see Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1-3). Philippians 2:5-11 At this point, Paul admonishes them to have the same mind/attitude as that of Christ Jesus. As with all ethical arguments, and especially for matters of unselfish concern for the well-being of others, Paul uses the supreme example of Christ (e.g., 2 Cor. 8:9). Their life in Christ Jesus, that is, their communal life, should be characterized by the same qualities that were seen in Jesus during his earthly ministry. Some versions, such as the NIV, record 2:6-11 in poetical form. This is done to reflect the widespread belief among scholars that these verses are an early Christian hymn that honors Christ. It is a recital of the saving work of God in Christ that consists of the two-fold theme of his self-humiliation followed by his exaltation by God (cf. 1 Peter 1:11). Paul urges the Christians at Philippi to have the same mindset/attitude as that of Jesus Christ. The question is, how was Christ’s attitude shown? Christ humbled himself in becoming man, to become a servant, and to willingly obey not just to the point of death, but death by means of crucifixion. Paul’s statement that Christ Jesus was in the form of God indicates his participation in the essence of deity. It also points to his pre-existence, an assertion made throughout the New Testament (see 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16-17; John 1:-3; Heb. 1:2). He “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (2:6, ESV). Paul’s point is that Christ did not treat his equality with God as something to be seized for his own advantage. Rather, his equality with God found its truest expression when “he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (2:7, ESV). What does it mean for Christ to empty himself? The KJV says that “he made himself of no reputation,” and the NIV says that “he made himself nothing.” This is the supreme example of divine selflessness in which Christ gave himself for the sake of others. A great illustration of this is when Jesus, who was aware of his divine origin and destiny, washed and dried the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper (John 13:3-5). This is truly an act of humble service. “Being born in the likeness of men” (2:7) means that he was “born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4, ESV). Paul restates this point at the beginning of verse 8: “and being found in human form” (ESV). There is little difference between “he humbled himself” (2:8, ESV) and “he emptied himself” (2:7, ESV). Jesus’ entire life was characterized by true humility. He became “obedient to the point of death” (2:8, ESV). The NIV has the translation “by becoming obedient to death” (also see the KJV). Unfortunately, this gives the impression that death gave a command, and Jesus obeyed. Rather, Jesus obeyed the will of God, even when obeying it meant suffering and death. Jesus prayed to his Father: “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, ESV). Jesus’ self-humiliation reached rock bottom in the manner of his death, which was death on a cross (2:8). Christians today, and for many centuries, view the cross as a sacred symbol. However, by the standards of the first century, no experience was more loathsome and degrading than dying on a cross. According to Jewish law, anyone who was crucified died under the curse of God (Deut. 21:23). In polite Roman culture, the term “cross” was an obscenity and was not to be spoken. Jesus endured this vile form of punishment, and by enduring it, he turned that shameful instrument of torture into the object of his followers’ proudest boast. Paul wrote: “But far be in from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14, ESV). Philippians 2:9-11 celebrates the reversal of Christ’s humiliation (see Matt. 23:11). Because Jesus descended to the lowest depth, God exalted him to the highest place of honor. Jesus obtained his place of exaltation by emptying himself; he gave up all he had. In Isaiah 45:23, the God of Israel proclaims: “To me, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance” (ESV). Here, this language is repeated, but now it is “at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (2:10, ESV). Whether saint or sinner, angel or demon, everyone in the universe will acknowledge the sovereignty of the crucified one. By bestowing on Christ the name that is above every name, God has bestowed on him the highest of all honors. Those who kneel in honor of Jesus’ name will also “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (2:11). The same one who “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,” has been exalted by God to be Lord of all. In subsequent generations, Christians refused to say, “Caesar is Lord.” They knew this was not a title of courtesy, but rather implied Caesar’s right to receive divine honors. Hence, they gave this honor to nobody but Jesus.