Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 25th. Edition.
Dear Men and Women of Faith, of whom the World Is not Worthy,
Yesterday we saw the prelude to today’s passage in Philippians 2:1-4. Central in that passage is the appeal to selfless humility. Today, we look at verses 5-11. Verse 5 transitions us to the theme of this passage with the instruction that we should have the mind of Christ. This thought is expounded in verses 6-11. Embrace the Humility of Christ, 6-8. In verse 6, Jesus Gave Up his divine privileges. Instead of clinging to what was rightfully his, he let go and left glory for ignominy. In verse 7, he Gave In to the will of the Father, that he becomes a man and a slave of that will. We just celebrated Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Most of us would have read Isaiah 53 – “He was despised…” From the greatest heights, he came so low that he was looked down upon, even. In verse 8, he Gave Out as he died the humiliating death of a common criminal, and one without the rights of a citizen.
Why would anyone debase himself so? Because if one does, one can Expect Honour from God, 9-11. In verse 9, God has made Jesus Worthy of Honour by lifting his name above all names. A name is representative of the holder. When a name is lifted up, it is the holder who is. But in verses 10,11, God has also made Jesus Worthy of Homage. Every knee in heaven – angels; earth – humanity; under the earth – evil spirits, will bow down at the mention of the name of Jesus and every tongue confess him, Lord. All of this will bring glory to the Father, which is the ultimate goal of Christ’s submission, as should be ours. Sacrifice and suffering for the sake of Christ is never in vain. It will result in honour because God will exalt the obedient servant. And most important all, it will bring glory to God.
I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”
Your loving Pastor Chris.