That New Direction

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.”  (Philippians 2:5-8) If you are at least 25, you probably have strong memories of the events of September 11, 2001.  Among those that continue to stay with me are the images of the firefighters and police officers rushing into the buildings as everyone else was rushing out.  Those are images of profound courage and sacrifice.  Going in the opposite direction from the crowd, they saved hundreds.  This week’s epistle lesson is the early church hymn, which reveals the very heart of the Gospel: God becomes one of us in Jesus, in order that we might be saved.  In our brokenness, we tend to move in one direction: self-promotion and seeking more honor.  The Son of God does something unique, forsaking the honor, which belongs to him; he rushes into the burning building of sinful humanity; into our shame and degradation and takes his stand with us!  And thus, you and I are saved; we are restored to a new relationship with God and given the grace to accept walking in that new direction.  That new direction (that new mind) is the willingness to rush in when others are rushing out.  We are empowered to move toward those who have been left behind in order that they might know the love of our Savior.  I pray that during this Holy Week, the depths of God’s love will be made known to you in a new way and that you will be willing to follow Jesus even as he continues to go in the opposite direction.