Setting Honor Aside

Dear friend,

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. . .” (Phil. 2:4-7a).

What does it mean that Jesus did not consider equality with God to be grasped, but made himself nothing? Dr. Bryan Chapell tells the story of an African chief who was called to rescue a little boy. The chief was not only the most important and respected man in the village, he was the strongest. The emblem of his power was an enormous headdress made of feathers, bones, and jewels. The chief never appeared without it and all the people were in awe of his great crown.

One day, a young boy was playing on the ground near his mother as she prepared the evening meal. The boy accidentally slipped into the mouth of a deep well. The villagers lacked the tools and equipment to make a proper rescue. Someone needed to climb down inside the narrow well and get the boy. Several men tried, but none were strong enough. The people ran to the chief and asked him what they should do. He arose from his shelter and walked straight to the well. He could hear the boy crying with fear as he peered in to the black opening. Suddenly the tribal leader knew he was the only one strong enough to go into the well and return with the boy. It was then that the chief removed his headdress. It was too big to fit in the well. He cast it aside on the grass and descended into the darkness. All was quiet for a few moments until the chief reappeared with the child, who was now crying with happiness. The boy was given to his mother and the chief picked up his crown, put it back on, and returned to his house.

The chief never ceased to be the ruler of his tribe; he simply laid aside his rightful, majestic, attire. In an even greater way, our Lord Jesus set aside the glory of heaven and came into our world to rescue us. He never ceased to be equal with God, but he did what was necessary to rescue sinners. When Jesus’ work on the cross was complete, He took his proper place at the right hand of God the Father Almighty!

In the scripture above, we are reminded to be like Jesus and look after the interests of others. Friend, how can you set aside your own honor for the good of another today?

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder