I once heard someone draw a compelling parallel between the notions of “virtue” and “sphere of interest.” Here is what I mean: the larger a person’s sphere of interest, the greater their virtue. And conversely, the smaller the sphere of interest, the less virtue. When the only thing I ever consider (i.e., my sphere of interest) is ME and my needs, I will stop at very little to meet those needs… even if it means causing injury to someone else. As my sphere of interest widens - as I consider the needs of my family, my nearby neighbors, my fellow Kansans, Americans, others sharing my planet – my decisions and actions are entirely different and can be judged to be more “virtuous.” Therefore, as my context grows, my ego shrinks.
In this passage from his letter to the young church at Philippi, Paul paints a powerful word picture of Jesus as our ultimate model of one who stands in the seemingly paradoxical place of ultimate humility and ultimate glory. He leaves no room for doubt in our minds that the source of Jesus’ power and authority came directly from his complete surrender to God… the “taking the form of a slave.” (v. 7)
How radically at odds is this picture from lessons we are taught every day? “Empty myself? Become a slave? Consider others to be better than me? You can’t be serious!” As hard as the lesson is to hear, it is even harder in our hard charging, ego-driven, “look out for #1″ world to take a stand as the humble, self-emptying servant of all.
But that is exactly where Jesus stood. And that is exactly the “one mind” (v. 2) Paul calls us as Christians to be in. Granted, it is not a popular or necessarily a rational place to stand. But it is the only place that has the power to change the world.
