SCRIPTURE:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8
OBSERVATION:
Did Jesus wear glasses? Yes…well, kind of. Anyone who has ever worn glasses knows that the glasses we put on affects the mindset through which we see the world. Are your glasses dirty with fingerprints? If so, the world seems awfully smoky. Are your glasses weak in power? If so, the world seems to be blurry. Are your glasses tinted black? If so, the world seems to be monochromatic. Glasses are to our eyes as our mindset is to our lives. Just as the glasses we wear affect the way we see the world, the mindset we adopt affects the way we live.
So what kind of glasses did Jesus wear? What is the mindset of Christ? The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 2:6-8 that Jesus’ mindset was:
1. HUMILITY – “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Philippians 2:6)
Jesus was fully God, yet He did not force anyone to treat Him as God. Despite His power, glory, and worthiness, He humbled Himself from godship to humanity. He served those who cursed Him, forgave those who persecuted Him, and loved those who hated Him. Jesus was not entitled; He was humble.
2. SERVANTHOOD – “rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7a)
Jesus did not come to be served, but rather to serve. His servanthood was especially meaningful because He did not deserve to be treated as a servant. He was the God of the universe, and yet even so, He chose to serve mankind. There is always value in servanthood, but it is especially valuable when someone who deserves the VIP entrance opts to walk through the servant’s entrance.
3. EMPATHY – “being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man” (Philippians 2:7b-2:8a)
Jesus identifies with us not simply on an intellectual level; He is able to empathize with us because He’s been through it Himself. He chose to clothe Himself with flesh and take on the struggles of man so that He, Himself could know the depth of humanity––good, bad, and everything in between.
4. LOVE – “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8b)
Jesus loved us to the point of death. He was willing to die so that we could live. Jesus had free will. He could have chosen not to die, and being God, He could have escaped death for Himself. But He didn’t. Instead, out of love, He humbled Himself and chose to die because He loved us.
5. SACRIFICE – “even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8c)
Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. He gave up His life in a beautiful exchange, taking our sin as His own so that we could have a second chance at eternal life. It is possible to sacrifice without love, but it is impossible to love without sacrifice. Jesus shows us His great love by sacrificing His all for us.
APPLICATION:
The mindset of Christ is humility, servanthood, empathy, love, and sacrifice. These are the glasses which Jesus wore. Why does it all matter? One word: relationships. In Philippians 2:5, the apostle Paul writes, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Having the mindset of Christ is important in all things, but it is especially important in your relationships with others. Why? Because relationships are difficult! They are complicated. Every relationship involves two imperfect people who have imperfect desires and make imperfect decisions. Yet, despite the difficulty of relationships, we must do all we can to invest in them, for at the end of the day, all you have are relationships.
In your relationships, adopt the mindset of Christ. When you look at others, wear Jesus’ glasses to see them as God does. Like Jesus, choose to be humble, even when others are prideful. Go through the servant’s entrance even though you have access to the VIP door. Empathize with others before thinking of yourself. Love others even when they don’t love you. And sacrifice yourself for the sake of loving others.
Jesus’s vision was perfect, yet He wore glasses. He didn’t need them to correct His vision; He wore them to correct ours. Jesus wore glasses to encourage us to wear ours, and if our perfect Jesus wore glasses, so should we. Today, put on Jesus’ glasses. Use His same prescription. And as you do, watch your relationships flourish as you have never seen before.
PRAYER:
Jesus,
Thank You for wearing glasses despite Your perfect vision. I repent for the times I have failed to put on your glasses––the times I have forgotten humility, servanthood, empathy, love, and sacrifice. Forgive me, and help me to see things like You do. Today, I put on your glasses, and I use Your prescription. As I do, correct my vision, change my heart, and sanctify me for Your glory so that I can better love others. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
