9-25-2019

Good Morning All,

      Philippians 2:7; “but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

    Have you ever told someone or been told that you “poured your heart and soul into this project?”  We use this to phrase when we have expended a lot of energy on a project; when we spend a lot of time.  Sometimes we even expend a lot of money.  It usually describes a project that took a lot of planning, looking for just the right parts to construct what we are doing.  It might be the grandmother who made a quilt for her granddaughter and she sought out just the right pattern, just the right color scheme and just the right size.  She may have spent months, even years, assembling the quilt.  It might be the grandfather who built a toy chest for his grandson.  He may have used wood from an old barn or house where he grew up in order that the grandson would have a connection to the “home place”.

    We used this phrase to indicate that we have emptied ourselves of all our talent, effort, maybe even treasure to offer the perfect gift.  It is usually done for someone we love and desire to be remembered for the gift.  We hope that the gift is always treasured by those who have it; having it as a keepsake for many years to come even, perhaps, after we are gone.  It is to be a lasting memory for the one who receives it.

    In our verse, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus emptied himself for us.  He did more than just spend a little extra time on the project; he left his heavenly throne and then poured out his life blood so that you and I would have the gift of eternal life.  We have received the everlasting gift of life from Jesus.  He held nothing back; he endured every slap, every punch, every lash, every nail, every insult, every temptation, so that you may have life.

    He emptied himself for you so that you would be given the crown of life.  So why do we find it so hard to offer a small cup of water or a small piece of bread to our fellow man?  Is it because we place such small value on what Jesus did for us?  Is it because we place such a high value on what we possess?  It is hard to say; we each have our own reason and thoughts but rather than looking at how full we want to be, we should look at how needy the other are.  I saw a poster the other day that said, to the effect, if you have more than you need; build a bigger table not a higher wall.  Jesus emptied himself of everything for you; will you empty yourself a little for someone else?

    This is truly our calling.  The things of this world are temporary and do not last.  We are to use then to spread God’s kingdom, not hoard them.  Jesus emptied himself so that you may have life; that you may live as one confident of your eternal destiny.  Use your faith to strive to live the life that is emptied for others that God’s holy kingdom may be spread to all.

Gracious Lord, when you emptied yourself for me and brought me into your eternal kingdom; you gave me life!  Guide me by your Spirit to walk in your ways.  Guide me to go forth proclaiming your Good News to all.  Keep my heart focused on the heavenly eternity and not the temporary things of this world.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret