THE MIND OF A SERVANT

Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In the lesson text, Paul summarized the complete lifecycle of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To follow its progression, it is necessary to start at the beginning. The bible tells us in many passages that the existence of Jesus did not begin at the time of His human birth. Jesus, Himself, told us that He existed before the birth of Abraham, and Abraham lived some nineteen hundred years before the human birth of Jesus took place in the small town of Bethlehem.

Indeed, Jesus Christ existed before the creation of the world - before earth-time began. The gospel account of John says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3). In this passage, Jesus Christ is referred to as the Word, to which practically all bible scholars agree. Jesus was not only present, but this text tells us that He participated in the creation of the world and all things that were made. This is further confirmed by the apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Colosse. He referred to Jesus Christ as (He) who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (Col. 1:15-17). Jesus was with God before the beginning of time, participated in the world's creation - a world that was created by Him, and for Him, and was given total dominion over this kingdom of God. Indeed, all things were placed under the subjection of Jesus Christ (See 1 Cor. 15:27-28, Eph. 1:22, & Heb. 2:8).

Such was the most high position held by the Son of God before creation. Now consider the present position He holds. He is the supreme Monarch ruling His kingdom, and is seated at God's right hand. There can be no greater power or authority in heaven or on earth than that of Jesus Christ. Paul recognized that, indeed, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was God when he wrote, For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col 2:9). It is this reason that Paul wrote, in the lesson text that Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. In between these two lofty, regal positions - the position Jesus held in the beginning as Creator, and the position he is now holding as the supreme head of the kingdom of God, He assumed the lowest position ever attained by a human being.

Paul wrote to the Galatian churches, But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:4-5). At His miraculous conception in the flesh, Jesus Christ left the majesty of His heavenly home, descended to earth, and became a human being. The time had come for God to reveal His plan of salvation to the world - a plan hidden from mankind since the beginning of time. For some thirty years, Jesus ceased to be God, humbled Himself to be born to lower class parents, that could afford no better than a manger in which to lay His newborn body. The Son of God became the son of man, and lived the life of a humble human being here on Earth. A mere carpenter by trade, Jesus did not seek a higher reputation or status in life normally ascribed to royalty.

Although the world, especially the children of Israel, believed that the Messiah would come to set up a monarchy on earth, one filled with pomp and royal majesty, such was not the case in God's plan of salvation. Indeed, Jesus became the King of kings, and Lord of lords, but instead of assuming a usual elevated position of an earthly king, on earth, He took the position of a servant. As a human being, Jesus debased Himself from the Son of God in heaven, to the son of man on earth. And, as an example to all Christians, He assumed the lowest position on earth - that of a servant.

One would think that, as a servant, Jesus had reached the lowest possible status of His lifecycle. Once again God's plan of salvation was far different from that imagined by mankind, because Jesus became even lower that a servant. He became one that was numbered with murderers and extortioners. He was condemned to die the cruelest death known to mankind. He was persecuted, spat upon, scourged, and executed by being nailed to a cross. His own lifeblood was drained from His body when a sword pierced His side. All of these deeds were performed by, or consented to, by His own heritage, the Jewish nation - all this was done as His human family, and His family of disciples, stood by and watched.

As humble and humiliating as Jesus' life on earth was, it was all foretold in Old Testament scriptures. It was God's plan from the beginning of time. The writer of the Hebrew letter ties together God's plan of salvation from its inception to its fruition: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:1-3).

Although revealed by Jesus during His life on earth, it was a plan that was not fully understood until the Day of Pentecost, following our Savior's death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven. Jesus declared this to His disciples, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matt. 5:17-18).

Why was God's plan of salvation to take place in the manner it did? Only God knows. But this we know. The plan of salvation, that Jesus Christ died to establish, was made available to all people of the earth that believe it, and accept it, under the terms prescribed by God Himself. There is no need to question, or try to understand it with human wisdom. This is assured in the writings of the apostle Paul: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out (Rom. 11:33)!

Although we do not fully understand the way God chose to bring eternal salvation to mankind, we do know it came through our Savior, the Son of God. From the beginning, it was the mission of Jesus Christ to bring the hope of salvation into the world. To know this, we do not have to rely on the human wisdom of man, but the upon the spiritual wisdom of our almighty God. Jesus told Zacchaeus, all disciples in their presence, and tells us today, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). In so doing, Jesus fulfilled the will of His heavenly Father: For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one, which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise Him up at the last day (John 6:38-40).

The death of Jesus was necessary that our sins could be remitted, that we could be reconciled to our righteous Heavenly Father, and that we could inherit eternal life. Sinners do not have access into heaven. Since all mankind are sinners, atonement for sin was necessary in order to have a hope of salvation. Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). The source of sin is the devil. To eliminate sin, Satan had to be conquered, bound, and destroyed. For this purpose Jesus was crucified, ... that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Heb. 2:14b-15). This, the apostle John also confirms. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8b).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, descended from the highest of all spiritual positions, to the lowest form of humanity, that of the most degrading death of any servant that ever lived on earth, only to return into heaven to reign over His kingdom in heaven and on earth. He served, and completed, the mission of His father. He was a servant to all mankind, ultimately giving His life for their salvation. Today, he is seated at the right hand of God. He rules His kingdom and serves as our intercessor, giving us access to our heavenly Father through prayer.

Indeed, this is our prayer today, and for each day of our life on earth. Dear Father in heaven, bless me with the mind of Christ; bless me with the mind of a servant!