Luke 6:20-26 | Philippians 2:5-11
We’d be hard-pressed to find many teachings of Jesus that he didn’t live up to himself. While he spoke these beatitude-like words, his life exemplified them all the more. Jesus seems to at once hold the grief of the world and present meals of joy for all who’d eat with him. His humility is our example.
Luke 6:20-26
Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said:
“Happy are you who are poor,
because God’s kingdom is yours.
Happy are you who hunger now,
because you will be satisfied.
Happy are you who weep now,
because you will laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One. Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
But how terrible for you who are rich,
because you have already received your comfort.
How terrible for you who have plenty now,
because you will be hungry.
How terrible for you who laugh now,
because you will mourn and weep.
How terrible for you when all speak well of you.
Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets.
Philippians 2:5-11
Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Prayer
God,
Help me believe in the crucified, risen Christ that I’m able to see my life as resonant with his cruciform humility.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.