Thursday 29 December 2022

Psalm 98:1- 3

Background

Paul presents a beautiful poetic image of Christ’s incarnation, showing Christ as a servant. It is probably the remnant of a hymn. The image picks up the four important songs of the ‘suffering servant’ in Isaiah. (Isaiah 42:1–4; Isaiah 49:1–6; Isaiah 50:4–11; and Isaiah 52:13–53:12.)

The servant image is a hugely important revelation of what God is like,  pointing to the gospel paradox which we humans find difficult to get our heads around.The nature of the power within and behind the entire universe (God) does not assert itself as raw power. Instead, for those with eyes to see, it is revealed in personal self-effacing humility and love.

It's 'personal’ because Christ was a ‘person’. Of course, we are all made in the image and likeness of God. When God chose to become flesh, to become ‘one of us,’ God came in the clothing and inner being of a servant, rather than of a king. 

Humans are much too interested in human ideas of glory and reflected glory and the trappings that come with it and we must learn to see in new ways and to recognise the true glory of God hidden in plain sight. (Think of how often you pay attention to the glory of dawn or sunset; or are totally present to another person.) It is of the nature of love to go out of itself to the other. 

Paul begins this poetic description of Christ by inviting us to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. The important word here is ‘mind’. To learn to see as God sees, we have to ‘change’ our mind. We need to nurture the mind of Christ within us, to think as God thinks. Nurturing this inner life of God within us will bear fruit in our actions. The thoughts that we dwell on direct the attitudes we nurture and the actions we take.

Paul suggests that because of the outstanding obedience of Jesus, God has indeed highly exalted him. Jesus had not aimed for this. He had aimed for obedience.  

To Ponder:

• What disciplines (means of grace) do you use to to nurture the mind of Christ within you?
• As we look at the life of Jesus, we see a difference between true humility and false humility. Think of a story in your own experience where you were falsely humble and/or truly humble. How did it work out and how did God guide you?
• Why is inner motivation important to what you do, and can you give an example of it? 

Prayer

Loving God, help us to stop wondering how we are doing, keep our eyes fixed on your son and do what love requires this day. Amen.