Have This Mind

I have a degree and a job that affords me a title. Sometimes I think that because of this I deserve a certain kind of treatment. It makes me a little smug. “I have accomplished something you have not. Aren’t you impressed?” This is not the way of Jesus

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.

Jesus went into the desert to be tempted. He was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirt after his baptism. He was tempted by Satan three times. First he was hungry and Satan challenges Him to turn stones to bread. Then, to have the angels prevent Him from harm and lastly, to rule all the kingdoms of earth in exchange for worshipping Satan. I have always been struck by the irony that Jesus already possessed all these things. He is God. He created all things. He holds all things together. It seems ridiculous for Satan to offer Him so much less that He already possessed in exchange for worship. Why is this a temptation? Jesus left all these things behind when He left heaven for His sojourn on earth. In human form, he is unable to access his God nature in the same way. As a human He suffered all the physical discomforts we suffer. He gave it all up order to bridge the chasm that exists between mankind and God.

Christ did not live the prideful way we often live. He possessed in his nature every honor, respect, authority, and position. He was God. He came here on earth and gave all it up to do for us what only He could do. He did not come and exert His position. He came in humble means and carried out the task He was sent to do.  He did not demand respect like we do. Instead, He payed the debt we owe.

What are we to learn from this? We may have character, position, talent, knowledge, and authority. These things are given to us, not attained by us. They are given to use for the benefit of others, not for our own benefit. If we were to get what we deserve, we would be very unhappy. But, God, because of His mercy gives us what we do not deserve. The skills we have been given should be used likewise, to show mercy and grace to others.  That is what it is like to have your mind in Christ Jesus.