4/5/17
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
We love to be in charge. People in every culture and in every age strive for power and influence. We would rather be the person in charge of a small community than the second ranked person in a large community. Better the president than the vice president. Better the pilot than the co-pilot.
How did Jesus consider this? In Philippians 2:5-11 he considered bringing forgiveness and life to you and to me as more important than his role as God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. Although he was the very God of glory, he humbled himself to purchase salvation. With this done, of course, he took up his glory again. After all, he was and is God almighty.
Every one of us is important in some way, at least to some people. And every one is a very particular person for whom Jesus has died. Yet despite our importance and standing, there is someone we are to care for. The apostle Paul tells us to have the same mind that Jesus had. This means that we put our own desires aside. We humble ourselves. We reach out to others.
What are the cares and concerns of those around us? What needs are brought to our mind and heart on a daily basis? How can we humble ourselves, doing good for our community? Christians have been accused of irrelevance before. They will receive those accusations again. At the same time, they have been in the forefront of charitable works. They provide foster care and adopt children at a significantly higher rate than people who do not claim to be Christians. They are more likely to take work in charitable organizations, often at relatively low wages. On average, Christians do more charitable giving and participate in more community service than others. Why is this? It would be really nice to think it is because of Jesus’ example in Philippians 2. Maybe it is. Maybe not. But right now, we might not be able to tell. Why? Because there are people around us who need the love and care of Jesus, including that loving care that reaches out personally and helps feed and clothe them.
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