Anticipating Christ,
The King's Arrival
Philippians 2:3-11
The following Advent devotion provides Scriptural texts we can meditate on as a church congregation, in concert with the sermon series each week, to gain a deeper understanding of our sin, a closer look at the beauty of Christ, and the power of the Gospel that saves and redeems.
Scripture
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7but made himself nothing,taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.8And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfand became obedient to death—even death on a cross!9Therefore God exalted him to the highest placeand gave him the name that is above every name,10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:3-11
This passage shows us both who Jesus is and how His heart shapes the way we live. Paul reminds a divided church that their attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus, who is “in very nature God” and yet did not cling to His status or rights. Instead of grasping for glory, Jesus reached down for us—God with us, Emmanuel—entering our finiteness and becoming obedient to the point of death. Fully God and fully man, He stepped into hunger, grief, suffering, and poverty, to understand us and restore a broken world that still deeply matters to Him.
Because Jesus humbled Himself, the Father exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name. In a world where we chase “empty glory” through titles, success, and recognition, scripture gives us a different pattern: the way up is down. Real glory is pouring ourselves out in love. Real power is used to serve others. As we look to Christ—the perfect prophet, priest, and king who emptied Himself for us—we’re freed to empty ourselves too. Advent becomes more than a season of receiving gifts; it’s a daily invitation to imitate our Servant King by laying down selfish ambition, pursuing unity, and embodying His love in very practical ways. We do all of this in the hope that one day He will make all things new.
Meditate
Take a few moments to quietly reflect on this truth.
One of the most underapplied themes in the New Testament concerns our call to like-mindedness or oneness in the church. Why do we struggle with unity in the body? The Apostle Paul says in this passage that it’s because our “attitude” is not the same as Christ; we are selfish, conceited, and proud (Philippians 2:3), and we look only to our own interests (2:4).
Pray
Speak this prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and mind.
Father, give us the heart of Jesus, who humbled himself and became obedient to death on a cross for his people. Give us the mind of Jesus, who didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped, but always considered the needs of others. And give us the will of Jesus, who did nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Grant your people a sense of oneness so that we can honor you in heart, word, and deed for your glory’s sake.
Apply
Consider specific ways you can live out this truth today.
In the midst of a busy season, what an opportunity to reflect on the humility and surrender of Jesus as you consider the needs of others in your life; Advent is a reflection of the High King who emptied himself in obedience and took the very nature of a servant to redeem his people. Consider what it means to empty yourself emotionally, relationally, and financially for the sake of oneness in Christ.
Memorize
Carry this truth with you throughout your day.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
