Consider Jesus’ attitude
Philippians 2:1-11
By Ysrael De la Cruz
This is Alex, a young man I met in 1994 while working with churches to build a camp facility. He was being looked at the baseball scouts from various major league teams. He was so talented; he had the skills he needed to be successful as a baseball player. But he did not make it to the majors due to his attitude. Maybe you have heard the saying: Your attitude determines your altitude, in other words, your attitude determines your success in life.
Paul wrote a letter to a church in Philippi in which he highlighted the attitude Jesus had and to encourage them to portray such attitude.
Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation(fellowship) in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy ESV
(v.2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. NASB
Paul talks about how his joy would be complete (perfected) If the church would possess the same mind, maintain the same love, and be united in purpose.
Then he goes on to remind them about Jesus’s attitude.

(v.3-4) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit (excessive pride, vanity), but in humility consider others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
These verses truly highlight how Jesus served. He did not serve out of selfish ambition or pride. He did it out of love. His service was unselfish. We too must consider Jesus’ attitude of unselfish service when we serve others. Jesus thought of us before he thought of himself.

We should consider Jesus’ humility. (v.5)
(v.5) Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus. (Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus)

What kind of attitude did Jesus have?
-Jesus gave up his heavenly privileges (who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men). He emptied himself of the rights and advantage of being God. Emptied himself (deprived himself) of his own rights as God. He did not use his heavenly rights to his own advantage.
This is what scholars call the incarnation of God. Why would God decide to become one of us?
God becoming a man? this is truly him depriving of his glorious rights. Think about where he was born, how he lived, who were his closest friends. Jesus lived as a servant. To say that Jesus was humble hardly does him justice.
“Biblical humility is not so much about how you feel about yourself; it has much more to do with how you treat others.” Mark E Moore (Core 52 p322)
Think about how Jesus associated with the lowly, the outcast. How he served without expecting anything in return. Jesus never used his power or authority for his own advantage, but for the service of others.

Jesus was obedient to his mission on earth. He humbled himself to the point of death and death on a cross. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus’ death when he said Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. NIV

Consider Christ’s exaltation (v.9-11)
God exalted his Son (glorified him)
Gave him the name that is above all names (Jesus) That at the name of Jesus every knew will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

It was after the resurrection that Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matt.28:18
At the name of Jesus everyone will bow one day because he is supreme. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is in charge, in control.

Jesus was exalted to the highest place, but before that happened, he lived a life of unselfish service; he did not use his rights to his own advantage, but he dedicated his life to serve others. He was humbled even to the point of death. Therefore, God exalted him. This is what the Bible teaches that God opposes the proud but exalts the humble. Humble yourself before God so that he will lift you up in due time.

Your attitude truly determines your altitude. Consider Jesus’s attitude and see how he too was exalted to the highest place. Jesus is always our role model for living; for loving, serving others. Consider his attitude, and get ready to live it out then, we too will be exalted and glorified by him.