Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[Jesus]… did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
Summary: The nature of Jesus comes into focus in this passage. Understanding who Jesus is helps us understand how he wants us to live.
Who, exactly, is Jesus?
If you have read the Bible, or even if you have just heard about him from others, you probably know he is the “Messiah” (Matthew 16:16), the “Son of God” (Mark 1:1).
Continue reading “Philippians 2:6b – Fire and Ice”
Who, being in very nature God…
Summary: Understanding the nature of God is a tall order. Perhaps the best we can do is to understand that we are not God and then learn to recognize who God is.
Imagine for a moment that you are a puppet. (You can be any kind of a puppet you would like to be!) You live in a world populated by puppets of all different types. Some are nice, others are mean. You know the world we live in.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:6a – Punch and Jesus”
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Summary: Paul is preparing us to see something very special. He wants our hearts and minds to be open to what he is about to show us.
Paul is about to show us a portrait of Jesus. As he takes us down the hall to the gallery where the portrait waits, he reaches out his hands to us and gently speaks these words:
Continue reading “Philippians 2:5 – A Portrait of Jesus”
… not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Summary: Paul’s words about looking out for the interests of others echo similar words Jesus said when he was on earth.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone were looking out for me? I mean, really, think about it. If everyone looked out for me, I wouldn’t have to look out for me and I could look to the interests of others.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:4 – The Good Neighbor”
[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… and of one mind.
Summary: This text challenges us to examine the original text and the concepts that underly Paul’s message.
To begin this meditation, let’s look at Paul’s words in the New Living Translation:
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2, NLT)
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2e – Paul’s Passion”[Therefore, if you ….make my joy complete by being like-minded]… having the same love…
Summary: Having the “same love” as Christ is a challenge. Understanding why helps us to focus our efforts on serving God’s will.
Paul’s sentences are famously long and convoluted. In this passage, he begins with a series of “if’s,” and then, when he reaches his “then,” he asks his readers to “make my joy complete by being like-minded.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2c – Two Kinds of Love”
… then make my joy complete…
Summary: Paul’s plea for unity among believers is one that echoes through the centuries and still haunts us today.
This phrase of Paul’s is heart-wrenching.
Paul, now an old man as he writes these words, is a prisoner. The man who was once free to roam the known world is now trapped like a bird in a cage. His heart longs to be with the Philippians, but his body is chained to the floor in Rome.*
Continue reading “Philippians 2:2a – In Search of Unity”
[Therefore] if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ…
Summary: It has been several days since we took a break from Philippians, so it might be worthwhile to review our last meditation, “Philippians 2:1-2 – Paul’s Request,” before continuing with this one.
There is a theme that runs through Paul’s collection of claims and clauses in his sentence. Behind the workings of his finely tuned academic brain, I hear a question that seems to come from his heart. It sounds like this:
Continue reading “Philippians 2:1a – Specks and Planks”
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: The word “brother” carries a special meaning. A brother is different than a father. Understanding this difference helps us understand who Jesus is.
If our relationship with our human fathers is unique, so is our relationship with our mothers and siblings. The good father provides a sense that there are boundaries to how we behave. The boundaries may vary from father to father, but all good fathers provide this context even if they are not aware that they are doing it.
Continue reading “Matthew 5: 2 — Who is Jesus? Part V — Brother”
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: Jesus’ role as a “son” defines him in an entirely different way from who he is as a God, Creator, and King.
God, Creator, and King are three radically different roles for one person to occupy. Even with just these three aspects to consider, the implications are staggering. Yet we have only begun to explore the various roles that Jesus fills. Of those that are left to discuss, his role as “Son” is perhaps the most important.
Continue reading “Matthew 5:2 — Who is Jesus? Part IV — Son”