Philippians – Christ, more than an example (2)
02/12/22 07:05
Some scholars are so occupied with the idea that Philippians 2:5-11 is a kind of hymn that they forget to dwell on its content and the importance of it. It forms the hart of a (sub)section that is marked or bracketed by ‘whether I am present or absent’ (1:27-2:13). It is as if Paul wants to say, ‘I have set an example for you, but do not look at me; look at Jesus. My presence or absence should not make any difference in how you live.’ Or rather, he expects them to be even more obedient (to the Lord) in his absence.
As young brothers we would come home from a week’s conference, spiritually uplifted and excited about we had heard and then wanting to preach ourselves, just like the conference preacher, his message, in his way of speaking and even imitating his looks and gestures. A week later we would find ourselves being plunged into our daily routines again and into the harsh reality of our weaknesses. Our ‘spirituality’ had faded and we were left with a feeling of disillusionment. If we would have followed Paul’s advice to have that mind of Christ in us to be willing to go down, down down, we would have been spared those disappointments.
Of course we cannot literally do as Jesus did, but we can change our ‘mind-set’ to that of the humble and loving Servant. In this Jesus is not only our example, but also our authority. By going all the way through death on the cross Jesus has been glorified to the highest possible position. He is Lord of all. Not following His example would therefore be a serious offence against His law of love.
‘Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!’
(Isaac Watts)
The way up is to go the way down. This is what Jesus has taught us by going that way Himself in its ultimate form. He knows what He is talking about. He has a right to speak.
Some believers shudder at the thought of ‘doing as Jesus did’. To be a Christian, they argue, is about who your are in Christ, and then behave accordingly. Even Bible translators try to find a way around the simple thought of taking on the mind that we see in Christ, by grouping the words ‘in Christ’ with ‘you’, making it a sophisticated technical construction which the Philippians could never have understood. The ESV reads, ‘Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus’. Again, this is too complicated. This cannot be what the original readers, or hearers rather, must have understood from Paul’s statement. Paul simply says, ‘Think!’ as he does at the end of the letter (4:8). What can be seen in Christ can be seen in Paul (4:9) and he is asking the Philippians – and us – to put that into practice.
As young brothers we would come home from a week’s conference, spiritually uplifted and excited about we had heard and then wanting to preach ourselves, just like the conference preacher, his message, in his way of speaking and even imitating his looks and gestures. A week later we would find ourselves being plunged into our daily routines again and into the harsh reality of our weaknesses. Our ‘spirituality’ had faded and we were left with a feeling of disillusionment. If we would have followed Paul’s advice to have that mind of Christ in us to be willing to go down, down down, we would have been spared those disappointments.
Of course we cannot literally do as Jesus did, but we can change our ‘mind-set’ to that of the humble and loving Servant. In this Jesus is not only our example, but also our authority. By going all the way through death on the cross Jesus has been glorified to the highest possible position. He is Lord of all. Not following His example would therefore be a serious offence against His law of love.
‘Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!’
(Isaac Watts)
The way up is to go the way down. This is what Jesus has taught us by going that way Himself in its ultimate form. He knows what He is talking about. He has a right to speak.
Some believers shudder at the thought of ‘doing as Jesus did’. To be a Christian, they argue, is about who your are in Christ, and then behave accordingly. Even Bible translators try to find a way around the simple thought of taking on the mind that we see in Christ, by grouping the words ‘in Christ’ with ‘you’, making it a sophisticated technical construction which the Philippians could never have understood. The ESV reads, ‘Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus’. Again, this is too complicated. This cannot be what the original readers, or hearers rather, must have understood from Paul’s statement. Paul simply says, ‘Think!’ as he does at the end of the letter (4:8). What can be seen in Christ can be seen in Paul (4:9) and he is asking the Philippians – and us – to put that into practice.
