第九天 腓 2:5-11
5 你們當以基督耶穌的心為心。 6 他本有神的形象，不以自己與神同等為強奪的， 7 反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形象，成為人的樣式； 8 既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服以至於死，且死在十字架上。9 所以神將他升為至高，又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名， 10 叫一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的，因耶穌的名無不屈膝， 11 無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸於父神。
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
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Many historians believe these verses contain a very early Christian hymn which Paul has adapted. This shows us that from very early on, Christians were sure of and sang forth the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ and saw in the cross and resurrection the glorification and exaltation of Jesus Christ, looking forward to the coming day when every tongue would confess and every knee would bow in recognition of the Lordship of Jesus (it is the name of Lord which is above every name). Amazing and fitting, knowing this reality caused early Christians to burst forth in song!
And there is so much for us to sing in thanksgiving. Jesus became a bondservant to rescue slaves like you and me. He came in the likeness of men to save humanity. Though Creator and King of everything, He humbled himself to redeem our sinful arrogance, even to the point of death on the cross, the lowliest way to die. This is the great reversal of the Gospel—Jesus obeyed when we were disobedient, living the life we never could, dying the death we should have died, and giving up everything to give us everything we ever needed.
Let us turn in sincere thanksgiving then as we give praise to our Lord that we can have the mind of Christ (v.5) and thank Jesus that even our ability to confess that He is Lord is a gracious miracle that only came because Jesus has called, transformed and saved us. Verse four reads, Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. What praise to Jesus who was so interested in us that He gave His life to give us new life in Him.
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