God in the Form of a Servant

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Intro

Jesus riding in as King on a donkey, a beast of burden, to the praise of the people. He came to deliver his people.

Paul was in prison, facing death, and encouraging the Philippians to willingly endure suffering as they lived as witnesses for Christ to the lost.

Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus

Luther’s Epistle Sermons: Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost Christ an Example of Love

You are Christians; you have Christ, and in him and through him all fullness of comfort for time and eternity: therefore nothing should appeal to your thought, your judgment, your pleasure, but that which was in the mind of Christ concerning you as the source of your welfare. For his motive throughout was not his own advantage; everything he did was done for your sake and in your interest. Let men therefore, in accord with his example, work every good thing for one another’s benefit.

Christ Jesus, who was in the very form of God, took the form of a servant, and took on flesh.

the form of God (not divine essence, but “the assumption of a divine attitude and bearing… and this not privately, but before others, who witness such form and bearing.” -Luther)

Was in the form of God because he always been God in essence. He did not take on the form or bearing of God. He always was and is God by nature.

He was already in a high position

As christians we are too, by God’s grace “this mind… which is yours in Christ Jesus”

God has picked us up and placed us …

the form of a servant (Luther, “the assumption of the attitude and bearing of a servant in relation to others.”)

Christ humbled himself and acted as a servant, though his is God.

Jesus, who is eternal God, had all things and needed nothing, came down in to this mess of sin and evil, to become our brother, to be born in humble circumstance, to walk amongst us, feel our pain, wash our feet, heal our wounds, cry with us, feel our hunger and pain, bear our griefs and sorrows, and to struggle against the Devil, being tempted as we are.

He had compassion upon us, acting out of love for us.

We are to have this mind among ourselves… and humble ourselves as servants of others.

Luther pointed out regarding the form or behavior of a servant may be considered three ways:

A servant who tries to act like a lord or God

Luther said, “Such are all the children of Adam. We who are rightly God’s servants would be God himself. This is what the devil taught Even when he said, ‘Ye shall be as God.’ (Gen. 3:5).”

A servant who acts like a servant

“as all just and faithful servants behave before the world; and as all true Christians conduct themselves in God’s sight, being subject to him and serving all men.”

A lord who acts like a servant

“For instance,” Luther says, “a king might minister to his servants before the world. Before God, however, all men being servants, this situation is impossible with men; no one has so done but Christ.”

Not proudly staying in high position selfishly or arrogantly, but in love and humility taking the form of a servant.

Luther’s Epistle Sermons: Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost Christ an Example of Love

What terrible judgment must come upon those who fail to imitate the ineffable example of Christ; who do not humble themselves below their neighbors and serve them, but rather exalt themselves above them! Indeed, the example of Christ may well terrify the exalted, and those high in authority; and still more the self-exalted. Who would not shrink from occupying the uppermost seat and from lording it over others when he sees the Son of God humble and eliminate himself?

Letter to George, who was trying to trying to be righteous on his own, and was looking down on others who were supposedly below him.

“Now I should like to know whether your soul, tired of its own righteousness, is learning to be revived by and to trust in the righteousness of Christ. For in our age the temptation to presumption besets many, especially those who try with all their might to be just and good without knowing the righteousness of God which is most bountifully and freely given us in Christ. They try to do good of themselves in order that they might stand before God clothed in their own virtues and merits. But this is impossible. …

Therefore, my dear brother, learn Christ and him crucified. Learn to pray to him and, despairing of yourself, say: “Though Lord Jesus, art my righteousness, but I am thy sin. Thou hast taken upon thyself what is mine and hast given to me what is thine. Thou has taken upon thyself what thou wast not and hast given to me what I was not.” Beware of aspiring to such purity that you will not wish to be looked upon as a sinner, or to be one. For Christ dwells only in sinners. On this account he descended from heaven, where he dwelt among the righteous, to dwell among sinners. Meditate on this love of his and you will see his sweet consolation. For why was it necessary for him to die if we can obtain a good conscience by our works and afflictions? Accordingly you will find peace only in him and only when you despair of yourself and your own works. Besides, you will learn from him that just as he has received you, so he has made your sins his own and has made his righteousness yours.

… Only keep your eyes fixed on that which he has done for you and for all men in order that you may learn what you should do for others. If he had desired to live only among good people and to die only for his friends, for whom, pray, would he have died and with whom would he ever have lived?”

He, being found in the form of man, became obedient to the point of death

Jesus, our God and King, rode in to the praises of the people, as they cried “Hosanna!” “Lord, save us!”

He continued on to the Cross where he would answer that prayer, while the people cried, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” This is why he came, to obey the Father’s plan, to serve sinners even to the point of death.

This was death “on a cross.” A shameful death for a criminal. Criminals would be nailed to a tree after they were executed in a shameful sign of their guilt and as a warning to others. But he was not a criminal! He was the only Holy, innocent, and righteous one! Yet he went willingly… for you…

Therefore, God has highly exalted him…

so that every knee should bow

and every tongue confess

We hear that God did not allow Jesus to remain in shame, or in the grave, but raised him up from the dead, and exalted him back to heaven, to the right hand of God the Father.

We too, if we are in Christ, and in faith following Him in loving servanthood to the Father and to sinners, will join him in glory.

Revelation 3:21 ESV

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

1 John 5:1–5 ESV

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Not by trying to rob God or take it for ourselves, but by receiving the work of the Suffering Servant Jesus, and, in grateful love, following him in humble service of others. By faith in Christ, we have this attitude and join Christ in his serving, in his suffering, in his resurrection, and in his kingdom of glory. Thanks be to God.

Conclusion:

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The Aaronic Benediction “The Lord bend the knee to serve…