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5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NRSV)
May this be a wonderfully blessed Holy Week for you, dear Eradio! I don't know about you, but it felt sad not to be in a church setting with children processing in with palm leaves and the singing of special hymns to the Lord. And this coming Sunday will also be a little sad, too. Please know that worship still happens when one puts oneself in a spiritual setting and worships God in spirit and truth. That can happen in any setting. Our prayer is that soon we can worship again in a corporate setting with fellow believers. Easter Sunday will still be Resurrection Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead!
It was on this Monday, after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, that Jesus returned to the Temple and overturned the table of the moneychangers. These were shrewd men who charged outrageous interest on their assistance to visitors in Jerusalem. They "helped" the tourists get the proper currency (it varied from nation to nation) with which to buy a sacrificial animal. Jesus was right in running them out because their presence had truly shifted the focus from worship to profit. Christ had a mind and a heart for God. And so should we.
Paul knew the mind of Christ and so he writes the words from today's passage. We should allow the "same mind be in (us) that was in Christ Jesus." Paul wants us to think and act like Jesus. Remember the W.W.J.D. from years back? The initials stood for What Would Jesus Do? It was placed on bracelets, stickers, patches, and other places as a reminder that we could have the mind of Jesus and make decisions much the same way that Jesus did. Paul continues, "Who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness." To have the mind of Christ will lead us into unexpected places, more likely to the Land of Things Not Usually Done. The idea of power goes to the servant. To the one who wants to be first, power is found in last place. To the one who demands me first; Christ takes us to the last one seated as the one who is honored. To the ones begging to be lifted up with fame and honor, Christ leads to serving the least of these among us. And so God, honored Jesus with His name, "the name that is above every name," and with it comes true power; "So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." And what is expected? That "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." The mind of Christ understands that and much more.
It will be in possessing the mind of Christ that we will have all the wisdom, patience, and peace we need to endure this crisis and come out the other side victorious. It will also be the mind of Christ that will bless our worship during this week as we reflect on all Jesus did for us. To truly enjoy and be blessed by Holy Week we must be holy.
PRAYER: Loving God, we pray that we might truly possess the mind of Christ Jesus. May our decisions, our actions, and our words truly reflect that we are guided and blessed by You. Grant us peace, patience, and compassion so that we might share those with others. We pray in Christ Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Pray for one another.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
