“Standing on ceremony”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, February 12, 2024 Philippians 2:1-13 (Forward, p. 14) CEV p. 1228
Probably all of us know people who are so full of themselves, so aware or proud of their rank or position, that they never let you forget it. Often these people are so caught up in the perks or expectations of their rank or position that they become rigid and unbending in their behaviour and in their expectations of others. Thus, they have to ‘stand on ceremony’, meaning that they cannot relax, or bend those behaviours or expectations in order to accommodate others.
As I said, we all know people like that. However, Jesus was just the opposite. There was no sense that He ever ‘stood on ceremony’ or that He played upon His unique position as the Son of God or ever ‘made a big deal of it’ or ‘strutted it about.’ No, just the opposite. Today’s text says that He emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives and abilities to become fully and totally like us. He didn’t put on airs or expect special treatment, either from God or from His fellow human beings. He simply lived His life as we do, albeit with all the trials and hazards and limitations that we ‘enjoy’, all those things that we have to put up with. And so it means that He is able to sympathize with us and understand us as no outsider, no person not having undergone the same things, could ever do. And it means that, having confronted these things armed with nothing more than the ‘tools’ and resources available to us mortal beings, He is uniquely equipped to guide us and help us in our struggles and difficulties. And so, He is someone that we can always go to for help—and try to imitate, try to be like, in our own lives.
Forward notes: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (verse 3).
“As believers, we are called to have the same mindset as Christ. We are called to prioritize the needs of others over own desires and to submit ourselves to God’s will humbly. This action involves putting aside and ego and recognizing that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
“Humility is not easy. It requires us to let go of our desires and ambitions and surrender ourselves to God’s plan for our lives. It requires us to be willing to serve others, even when inconvenient or uncomfortable. But as Paul reminds us in this passage, it is through humility that we find true joy and fulfillment.
“Ultimately, humility is a recognition of our limitations and a willingness to rely on God’s strength and grace. As we strive to imitate Christ’s humility, let us remember that we are not alone in this journey. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can continue to grow in humility and become more like Christ with each passing day.”
Moving Forward: “What do you need to give to God so you can walk more humbly?”