By Jon Brown with Justin Kuiper
Read: Philippians 2:5-11
“He humbled himself.” (v. 8)
Humility is hard, isn’t it? It goes so starkly against the worst of our human nature. Our tendency is to bristle and defend ourselves instead of being truly humble.
I can’t imagine it was easy for Jesus either. Jesus, who left the eternal communion of Father and Spirit to enter our finite realities. Jesus, who “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (v. 7) and became “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (v. 8).
But he didn’t stop there. Jesus is the one who washes feet. Jesus is the one who receives the kiss of betrayal. Jesus is the one who takes the bread and gives it, pours out the cup, and hands it over.
Our world tells us that we always need to be right, that winning is best. But not Jesus. He just keeps on emptying, he keeps on descending, he keeps on giving himself up, giving himself away, releasing his control.
I come away from this passage with a simple question: what if we, as followers of Jesus, were known less for winning arguments and more for washing feet? What then? What would our world, our cities, families, and communities look like?
What if we, as believers in Christ, were a people who gave ourselves away to the least and the lost and the last and left the rest to a God who humbles himself? I think our world would look less like a place in which everything hinges on winning and losing, and rather a place in which lives are changed.
As you pray, ask God to increase your humility and help you subdue your pride.
—————
Jon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland. Jon loves preaching and loves walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He loves to invite people to follow Jesus in community on mission. Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of four daughters.
Read: Philippians 2:5-11
“He humbled himself.” (v. 8)
Humility is hard, isn’t it? It goes so starkly against the worst of our human nature. Our tendency is to bristle and defend ourselves instead of being truly humble.
I can’t imagine it was easy for Jesus either. Jesus, who left the eternal communion of Father and Spirit to enter our finite realities. Jesus, who “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (v. 7) and became “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (v. 8).
But he didn’t stop there. Jesus is the one who washes feet. Jesus is the one who receives the kiss of betrayal. Jesus is the one who takes the bread and gives it, pours out the cup, and hands it over.
Our world tells us that we always need to be right, that winning is best. But not Jesus. He just keeps on emptying, he keeps on descending, he keeps on giving himself up, giving himself away, releasing his control.
I come away from this passage with a simple question: what if we, as followers of Jesus, were known less for winning arguments and more for washing feet? What then? What would our world, our cities, families, and communities look like?
What if we, as believers in Christ, were a people who gave ourselves away to the least and the lost and the last and left the rest to a God who humbles himself? I think our world would look less like a place in which everything hinges on winning and losing, and rather a place in which lives are changed.
As you pray, ask God to increase your humility and help you subdue your pride.
—————
Jon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland. Jon loves preaching and loves walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He loves to invite people to follow Jesus in community on mission. Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of four daughters.
