Philippians 1: 27 – 2: 11

January 23, 2023

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

“… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” It’s why He came here. He was ‘obedient unto death’ in agreement first with the Father and fulfilled the Father’s plan, their mutual plan, when He was here. He, Himself, always knew what was going to happen and how and yet, He said – yes. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matt 26:39)

If that sentence doesn’t make you cry …

Jesus – fully human and fully divine; one side not taking away anything from the other side. The human Child in plea to His Father and yet the Divine supporting the will of the Father. He never failed at doing the Father’s will – even at 12 years old: 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2) They were, and eternally are, in complete agreement.

“… even the death on the cross.” He knew – He had always known – what shape His death would take. And yet … He didn’t falter but followed what must happen, knowing that the Father was with Him and in Him and around Him. It’s important for us to remember – Jesus, just like us, had free will. He could have, at any time, walked away from the death He knew He would face. His Father’s will was more important to Him than any other choice He could have made for Himself.

We even see a little bit of this in the Blessed Virgin Mary and her response to the announcement: 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 2) Obedience to the Father

It’s a helpful guide to us; if Jesus and Mary can be obedient in these large things, momentous things, surely we can be obedient in the small things God asks of us.

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