Christ’s Example (Service)
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Scripture Reading:
• Philippians 2:5-7 - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though
he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied
himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
• Mark 10:43-45 - But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must
be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of
Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Thought:
When throwing a disc, we need to have firm grip on the disc, but not grasp it too as tightly. If we
grasp with all our strength, the point of the throw, which is to have the disc fly from our hands toward the
basket (hopefully) will not happen. While a grip should be firm, too much “firmness” defeats the purpose.
The reason Christ did not have to “grasp” for equality with God, is because He already had it.
Christ’s identity was not based on how He was placed in relation to others. Therefore, serving others did
not lower His place in relation to God. In the same way, our identity in Christ does not change based on
our position to others. This means we should have the same mind as Christ when we think about how to
relate to others.
An example of people trying to “grasp” for position is James and John, who had asked to sit at
Jesus’s right and left in His kingdom. They were only looking at things from an earthly perspective. Jesus
reminded His disciples of the eternal perspective. If their identity (and ours today) is in Christ, they should
reflect Christ’s priorities, which was eternal life for all people. When we have Christ’s perspective, we do
not see others as people we need to compete against for position, but people deeply loved by God, and
in desperate need of salvation.
Reflection 1: Where do I get my feelings of value? Is it from others, or from God?
Reflection 2: How can I serve others in a way that reflects Christ’s love to them?
Prayer: Lord, thank-you for sending Your Son to save me. I pray that by your Holy Spirit, I would see
others from Your perspective, and reflect You to them. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen!
Contributed by: Dean Langenhahn | PDGA #208802