The Mindset of Jesus

Some truths are so beautiful you can’t just say them. You have to sing them. Beautiful truths need to be said poetically. Philippians 2:5-11 contains ones of those truths. Given the way that it is laid out, many believe that it was a song that the early church used that Paul included in chapter 2, or that he wrote this as a hymn. As we will see in a few minutes, parts of this passage are in the book of Isaiah. This shows us one of the goals of this passage is our worship. It is meant to stir up our affection and adoration for Jesus. We should read it and be wowed. This passage is also meant to shape the way we think and live our lives. That is why verse 5 says 

Philippians 2:5

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

So Paul challenges us to think and ultimately live like Jesus, then he uses poetry to show us what that looks like. And the first mindset of Jesus that we notice in verse number 6 is that…

Jesus Was A Selfless Servant

Philippians 2:6

who, existing in the form of God,

did not consider equality with God

as something to be exploited.

The verse starts by telling us that Jesus existed in the form of God. In this phrase Paul touches on the preexistence of Jesus and on the deity of Jesus. Jesus has always existed and had always been God. The phrase “in the form of” means Jesus is the same nature or essence as God. Paul is NOT saying that Jesus showed up and looked like God, he is saying “when Jesus came to earth he continued to be the very same essence of God.” Jesus has the same essential attributes and inner nature as God does because he is God. From eternity past, Jesus was fully God. 

Now in verse 6 we begin to see the selfless nature of Jesus. To Jesus equality with God was not something to be exploited, seized or held on to for his own advantage. The idea is Jesus did not leverage the position of his deity for his own personal gain. This shows us Jesus was selfless. Jesus didn’t consider “being God” grounds for getting what he wanted. Instead he used his power to serve. He used his position to live a sinless life so we could experience the love of the father. 

Let the wonder of this reality sink into your heart. 

This is an astonishing truth, that Jesus, God, would model such selflessness. Jesus lived with his hands open in generosity. He didn’t use his power to grasp everything he could to make his life easier. This is the mindset that Paul is calling us to adapt. (See also Romans 15:1-3)

We don’t have a position, authority, power, or influence so that we can serve ourselves, but so that we can serve others and help them come to experience the love of the Father. 

Philippians 2:7

Instead he emptied himself

by assuming the form of a servant,

taking on the likeness of humanity.

And when he had come as a man,

Jesus, did not use his position for earthly gain. Think about it, he voluntarily chose not to exercise all his rights as God so that he could live as a man and experience what we experience. The Creator becoming a servant. 

There are plenty of passages in the gospels that illustrate this, but John 13 captures Jesus’s heart in action so well. 

John 13:1-5

Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

Washing people’s feet in the New Testament was servant’s work. I have 4 kids who love to go nearly everywhere barefoot and let me tell you their feet get funky. Washing them just sounds gross. And in New Testament times people’s feet would have been tired and dirty from having to walk practically everywhere on dirt roads. They didn’t have moisture wicking socks and Nike’s to keep their feet comfy and smelling fresh. So it was customary to have your guest’s feet washed. But as the disciples were getting ready for the passover meal, none of them took it on themselves to make sure this servants work was done. They avoided the dirty work. How like us. 

But not Jesus. 

In his final moments before suffering on the cross, Jesus humbles himself, wraps the towel of service around his waist and assumes the form of a servant. This is what it looks like to be selfless. This is what it looks like to be a servant. But we also see that Jesus was sacrificial.

Jesus Was Sacrificial

Philippians 2:8

he humbled himself by becoming obedient

to the point of death —

even to death on a cross.

Jesus’ life was marked with humility. Just think about how he came into this world. Born in a stable in a tiny town called Bethlehem. He didn’t come to any of the big cities like Rome, Jerusalem, or any other capital. He came as a baby, who needed diaper changes. He lived in relative obscurity for nearly 30 years doing hard manual labor. And he did this voluntarily. Verse eight doesn’t say that he was humbled by others. He humbled himself. 

This was his decision. He chose to empty himself. He willingly obeyed the will of his Father to the point it cost him his life. Jesus suffered the most vile death imaginable at the time. Crucifixion was so horrible that Roman citizens couldn’t be crucified under Roman law. It was to barbaric. In polite Roman society even mentioning a cross was considered to be an obscenity. And yet, Jesus willingly endured the physical pain and agony of the cross. He endured the barbaric treatment and death. 

But he also willingly suffered the wrath of God as he became sin for us. 

He was betrayed. 

He was abandoned. 

He was stripped. 

He was mocked.

He was beaten.

He was crucified.

He was punished for our sin. 

He was forsaken by God. 

The Lord of life willingly suffering death. 

The perfect, sinless man becoming sin for us. 

Jesus had never done anything wrong and yet God punished him for our wickedness. And the book of Hebrews tells us it was his joy to endure this for us. Jesus willingly humbled himself even though it meant death on a cross and dying for our sin. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be redeemed. And the challenge for us in verse 5 is let this mind be in us. 

Adapt the type of mentality and attitude of Jesus that is willing to sacrifice so that others can know the love of the Father. 

Philippians 2:5

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

And as we move into verse 9 we see what God the Father did in response to what Jesus did. 

Philippians 2:9

For this reason God highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

God is the one who is instigating that action in verse 9. 

Jesus Was Exalted

Highly exalted means to exalt to the highest rank and power, raise to supreme majesty. This exaltation that God is giving Jesus is a league all by itself. What interesting is this is the only place in the New Testament this word is used. It’s like Paul is doing everything he can to help us understand just how exalted Jesus is. 

Now remember this passage is a poem, or hymn. Part of the purpose of this passage is to lead us into adoration of Christ. So by using this special word It seems like Paul is going to great lengths to help us understand just how exalted Jesus is. 

But if Jesus is God, how can God the Father highly exalt him and give him a name above every name? Wouldn’t he have already had a name above every name?

Verse 11 tells us that the name that Jesus was given was Lord and Messiah. Now, it is true that Jesus has been God since before time began. When Jesus came to the earth, he was the Messiah that people had longed for. He was Immanuel - God with us. But Jesus had not completed his mission as Lord and Messiah until after his crucifixion and resurrection. So his Lordship overall the earth had not yet been brought to full actuality because sin and death needed to be defeated. And in defeating sin and death Jesus definitively demonstrated that he was the victorious Lord over all his enemies. 

The Greek Word for Lord in verses 11 is Kyrios. It means supreme in authority. Writer Kent Hughes said…

“In the Greek Old Testament Kyrios was used to represent Yahweh, the personal name of the God of Israel. Now again, this does not mean Jesus increased in power and authority. Nothing could be higher than sharing equality with God. This must be understood as referring to a position of recognizable superiority over all creation and that Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to the Father’s right hand makes his superiority more fully evident to the creation over which he rules.”

So when we see this passage saying that God exalted Jesus, it is not about Jesus becoming God. It’s about Jesus definitively proving that he is King. He has exercised his authority and power as Lord in defeating sin and death and has won a people for himself from every tribe, nation, and tongue. Philippians 2 is showing us the moment of enthronement. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. 

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Ephesians 1:20-23

He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens — far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Christ ascending into heaven and sitting down at the right hand of the Father is the indication of the completion of his work. This is the pivotal moment of history. And it should drive our hearts to worship. We have to guard against allowing ourselves to be so used to hearing that Jesus is Lord that we miss the significance of that reality. This truth should move us to worship and living life like Jesus. 

Remember, the challenge for us is to let this reality shape the way we think. Jesus is highly exalted above all. He is our king!

This changes everything. 

Now let’s look at verses 10-11. 

Philippians 2:10-11

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So far we have seen that…

• Jesus was a selfless servant. 
• Jesus was sacrificial.
• Then we saw God’s response and that... 
• Jesus was exalted. 

Now let’s look at people’s response and we will see that…

Jesus Is Praised

One of the reasons that God has exalted Jesus is so that everyone will acknowledge his Lordship. Whether willingly or not, there will be a moment in time when everyone confesses that Jesus is Lord. Verse 10 says "in heaven" This refers to the saints who are already in heaven, the angels, every heavenly being. It also says "on earth." This refers to every person or being who walks this earth, redeemed or rebel, they will bow the knee before Jesus. Lastly it says "under the earth." This refers to the souls that are already imprisoned and demons who are in hell will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ. No knee is excluded, or tongue exempt. Everyone will bow and everyone will confess. 

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah God says…

Isaiah 45:22-24

Turn to me and be saved,

all the ends of the earth.

For I am God,

and there is no other.

By myself I have sworn;

truth has gone from my mouth,

a word that will not be revoked:

Every knee will bow to me,

every tongue will swear allegiance.

It will be said about me, ‘Righteousness and strength

are found only in the LORD.’ ”

All who are enraged against him

will come to him and be put to shame.

This is a sobering reality. And God is still crying out today ”Turn to Jesus and be saved.” Bow the knee before Jesus before it is too late. If you don’t place your faith and trust in Jesus in this life it will be too late after death. In the final judgment, every unconverted soul will confess that Jesus is Lord to their eternal shame. But God’s deepest desire is that people turn from their sin and confess Jesus!

Romans 10:9-13

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame,

So Isaiah warns that if you don’t turn to Christ you will suffer eternal shame, but if you DO turn to Christ you will never be put to shame. Paul goes on…

since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

It doesn't matter what a person’s background is, where they come from, how they identify, or what they have done. If a person calls on the name of the Lord, they will be saved. If you call on Jesus, God will not cast you out! Every person that confesses in this life that Jesus is Lord, and believes in their heart God that raised him from the dead, God promises that they will be saved from their sin. 

Jesus took the wrath of God for us on the cross so that we could have a relationship with God to the glory of God the Father. The glory of God is his love on display!

This demonstrates how great and beautiful and worthy God is! There is literally nothing better that knowing him. Is that your mindset? Is it mine? Remember the challenge for us is back in verse 5

Philippians 2:5

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

This is the type of mindset and life that we are called to. The mindset and life of Jesus.

Earlier we saw the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet in John 13. After Jesus did that he gave them, and us, some instructions and a promise. 

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

“Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

It’s easy to look at this type of mindset and think “what a miserable way to live.” But that isn’t true. 

Jesus said when we live this way we will be happy or blessed or joyful. Seeking the glory of God through a life of humble service and sacrifice so that others can know the love of God is not in conflict with our pursuit of joy. It is the pathway to it. It’s funny how the very things we avoid to be happy are actually the very things that Jesus says will bring us true happiness. So you want to be happy?

Philippians 2:5

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,