Reading: Philippians 2:6-11. Migrant workers poured across the Rio Grande by the thou­sands every year with their green cards, which allowed them to work in the states. They often came by families, working the harvests all the way up the mid-section of the United States. But a large percentage of them never got beyond the Rio Grande Valley where vast farms produced great quantities of vegetables and fruit for U.S. dining tables.

While living standards for migrant workers had vastly im­proved over the years, their life was still difficult. Housing was usually adequate but often crowded. Migrant parents were often torn between sending their children to school or keep­ing them part of the time in the fields where they could add to the family income. And when the children did attend school, they faced a language deficiency. As schools were required to provide bilingual education because of the Hispanic children, local residents resented the extra cost burden on their school districts. In some ways life for the migrants was only a step or two above the conditions they had left in Mexico or the Cen­tral American countries. Even when growers made conscious efforts to make life comfortable for their workers, life as a migrant worker was almost never comfortable.

Hans Schneider was one of the growers who tried to make life more comfortable for his workers. He was a third genera­tion grower on his large spread, and was known miles around as a successful farmer/businessman. He looked forward to spring this year, because his only son George would be gradu­ating from Texas A & M with a degree in agriculture. He was eager to get George started in the business end of his vast operation so he would be able to take over the business – as Hans had from his father.

But at A & M George had studied many additional courses besides business and agriculture. He had also participated in several strong social outreach oriented groups while in college – groups that raised the consciousness of people to the con­ditions of the underprivileged – including migrant workers. So when George returned from A & M with his degree in hand, he had his own idea about where he wanted to start his career.

As his dad began one day to suggest where he wanted George to begin, George held up his hand and interrupted, “Dad, I plan to join the migrant workers for a year or two.”

“You’re going to do what?” his father asked, somewhat perplexed.

George began to explain, “I plan to join the workers out in the field. I want to get a feel for what they are doing. I speak fluent Spanish so that will be no problem. And I plan to live with them in the housing we provide.”

Hans was stunned by his son’s decision. This didn’t make sense. “I don’t understand the reason for what you want to do. I...I was hoping you would start...” Hans wanted to explain.

“At the top?” George asked. “Father, I appreciate that, but I want to start where the field workers are. I want to be one of them, know how they feel, what they think. Maybe that way we can help them – as well as us.”

-- Merle G. France

Source: Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit

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HE EMPTIED HIMSELF! (Philippians 2:7)

When Christ came down to this earth, he emptied himself in every respect and was willing to be made nothing in the eyes of people. He did this in the full subjection and obedience to his heavenly Father, even unto the death on a cross. 

Perhaps, we become so familiar with the Pauline phrase, “He emptied himself.” But of what did Jesus empty himself? There are some who say that he emptied himself of his divinity. No, he did not, for he said to Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Therefore, Jesus Christ is God, one hundred percent God. On another occasion, Jesus said, “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30).

So in what sense did Saint Paul say Christ emptied himself? Theologians have debated and some believed in one of these categories: (1) Jesus emptied himself of his privileges of divinity. (2) He gave up the rights and authority of his deity. (3) He relinquished the independent use of his power and authority. (4) He limited the use of some of his attributes of divinity.  

However, many scholars say that this passage teaches nothing about what Christ gave up. Instead, a better interpretation would be that Christ voluntarily gave of himself, poured himself out, made himself lowly. Taking the form of a servant was not an exchange, but an addition to his essential divine nature.

Because of his virgin birth, Jesus has a dual nature: He is both the Son of God and the Son of Man. Our finite minds cannot begin to comprehend what that means, but it is true. In this personal union of the human and divine natures in Christ, the eternal Son of God took upon himself a complete, but sinless, human nature and became man.  As the Son of God, his mission was to go to the cross and make salvation available to humankind, which no human being could accomplish. As the Son of Man, his purpose was to identify with all aspects of our humanity.

Because He emptied Himself of all but love,

   … you can be filled.

Because His body was broken,

   … your life can be whole.

Because His blood was shed,

   … your sins can be forgiven.

Because He submitted to injustice,

   … you can forgive.

Because He finished His Father’s work,

   … your life has worth.

Because He was forsaken,

   … you will never be alone.

Because He was buried,

   … you can be raised.

Because He lives,

   … you don’t have to be afraid.

Because He was raised,

   … you can be strong.

Because He reached down to you,

   … you don’t have to work your way up to Him.

Because His promises are always true,

   … you can have Hope!

Source: Unknown

Jesus took the form of a slave in humble services. He was obedient to death, and death on a cross. He set a mindset to all of us of how to serve God and man. In reality, our concept of serving God may be doing what we would like to do. We tell God what we will do for him, and what we will not do; where we will go for him, and where we will not. In doing this we forget he is the Master, and that the Master assigns the task. Our part is to give ourselves to him, accepting the assignment he bestows.

A servant is not free to serve on his own terms. Jesus said, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). As servants following in the footsteps of Christ, we must present ourselves as “living sacrifices” and say, “Here I am – I have come to do your will.”

O God, there are times when I become so full of myself that there’s no room for others or even for you. Help me pour out my self-centeredness to make more space for your love. Encourage me to empty out my small problems in order to respond to the needs of those around me. Let me pour out my life and be filled with your Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Linh N. Nguyen