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“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Phillippians 2:5-11, ESV
Sometimes children and adults wonder how can we know that Jesus loves us? In Philippians 2:5-11, God provides an answer with an incredible description of Jesus’ love in action for human beings, and how his love moves us to love others.
First, we are encouraged to set our attitude to be like Jesus, (verse 5) to have his mind among yourselves. Second, in verses 6-7, we are reminded that Jesus, being eternally the same in essence as God, became a human being. He gladly set aside his privileges of glory and power and humbled himself to become human. A human that was limited by time and space, having a physical body, and as a child, needing all the care and protection of parents that we all need.
Third, in verses 8-11, we see that Jesus’ coming in the flesh as a mere human, and Immanuel (God with us) is the visual expression of the invisible God. Additionally, God’s mission was for Jesus to die a horrible death on a cross on behalf of humanity. Is there a greater expression of love than this?
Maybe you learned this song when you were small, it goes like this: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” It’s important for people, especially children, to know that someone loves them.
Too many children (and adults) in this world live with no true expression of love, whether from parents or family. But the need to be loved is inherent in all people of all cultures. So, it is especially great to know that God, the Creator of the universe, loves all of us and Jesus loves, us too. This is why we teach our kids this simple song.
Indeed, Jesus loves all the little children. He loves all humanity (big or small). Yet there are many who do not know about him or his love. Those of us who follow Jesus should also, as we ‘let our minds’ be the same as Christ’s. In this passage, we too should be willing to set aside our privileges.
Privileges of the comfort and safety of always being around people who think like us, speak like us, live like us and be willing to sacrifice our lives, physically, (maybe not in the same manner as Jesus), emotionally and mentally. All this so that others can know the love of Jesus and the great sacrifice that he provided on our behalf. His was the most significant mission trip of all time, and it should move us also to live our lives on mission for God. For he has passed his mission to us.
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