Palm Sunday - 22 Mar 1959
22 March 1959
Philippians 2:5-8: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God: but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phillips: Let Christ himself be your example as to what your attitude should be.) It is an attitude of mind we are called upon to cultivate imitating Christ. What was Christ’s attitude?
It is the attitude to forego that which quite rightly might have been claimed. It is the attitude deliberately to dismiss every consideration of, and every active endeavour after reputation. It is the attitude to engage in the humblest service as life’s highest expression. It is the attitude to tread the pathway of obedience even unto death. In a word, it is the attitude of self-renunciation and self-sacrifice. Cultivate this attitude/disposition writes St. Paul. Let his mind be in you.
Are we doing this? Regarding our rights: In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son says, “give me the portion of goods that fallen to me.” The elder son says, “Thou never gavest me a kid.” Each claims his right. Each reveals the attitude to have and to hold. In one form or another, men, communities, nations establish this attitude today. Society is more or less built upon this attitude. Rights are insisted upon. But plainly, the Kingdom of Christ demands renunciation even of obvious rights, if the highest is to be served. Are we prepared to express this attitude?
Regarding Reputation: The story of Ananias and Saphira in the Acts gives us an example of those who placed reputation before honesty. They wanted to be thought well of by the people and were prepared to act dishonestly. We know what their end was. There are many people, even sincere Christians, who would place reputation above all else.
Humble Service: We stand on dignity. It is below our dignity to be engaged in certain activities. Let us follow the example of Christ who girded himself with a towel and washed his disciples’ feet.
Obedience: He who cannot obey cannot command; only he who obeys to the utmost can rule to the uttermost. His attitude was to give his obedience to God even unto death.