Community Church Sermons
April 1, 2007
Philippians 2:5-11
Dr. R. Tim Meadows, Associate Pastor
Listen to this Sermon!
Several years ago as a representative to Tennessee Boy’s State, it was my privilege to hear the Speaker of the House, later Governor Ned Ray McWherter speak. I was especially proud, because unlike a lot of influential politicians on the state scene at the time McWherter was a native West Tennessean. As best I can recall he spoke to us that evening about developing and guarding our personal reputations and how this process would probably be a lot different than we might have ever thought.
Really, I mostly remember two things about McWherter’s speech. 1. It was brief—always a good thing! 2. He told a most compelling personal story to make his point. Let me share with you what I remember about that story in Governor McWherter’s voice.
“It was early in my political career, and I was home from a legislative session for the weekend. I went down to the little country market, not far from my home to get something, and while there ran into an old friend of my family I had not seen in some time. He was sitting around, swapping stories, drinking coffee, and generally doing what “old men” do at local country stores, especially throughout the South. We recognized each other, exchanged pleasantries, and then he said something I have never forgotten; “Ned Ray, I’ve been seeing your name and picture in the paper a lot lately. Yes, I suppose you have, I replied. I know that over in Nashville you are becoming well known, and quite popular, Well, I don’t know so much about that, I replied. Ned Ray, there’s just one thing you need to remember about all that recognition. What’s that, sir? I asked. Just remember that on the day of your funeral, the attendance will have a lot more to do with the weather, than with any of that stuff in the paper.” McWherter concluded by saying that his friend had reminded him of a valuable lesson about reputation, it is not based so much on what you do, as who you are among people.
This is Paul’s conclusion about Jesus in today’s epistle lesson. On this day when we celebrate with the crowds and wave palms, and shout hosanna, Paul reminds us that we do this more because of the reputation that Jesus built throughout his life as he walked among people, than because of his act of triumphal entry, or any other act of his life for that matter. We celebrate Jesus today because of his willingness to defer his position with God to walk fully among people. In the high - minded theological circles in which I have previously run, they refer to this as “Kenotic Christology”, the self –emptying of Christ, and they spend a lot of time talking about how this must have happened, how it was maintained, and what it all must mean. Way too much time! However, I agree with their conclusion that whatever the answers to all of these questions are, Jesus clearly chose the route of deference to power and position, so that he could be fully present with us. Jesus found identification with the total human experience to be more important than position, power, authority, control, etc. Rather than build his life on the things that are typically associated with human reputations, he chose instead a different course.
The course of Jesus according to Paul was that of service. Service, which engaged him at every level of society, much to the chagrin of his religious contemporaries. Service, which addressed practical needs like hunger, sickness, death, bigotry, etc. Service, which at times provoked other’s anger, promoted personal weariness, and even prompted him to weep. Service like you and I are called to give to our world.
From where did Jesus commitment to service arise? From his conviction and determination to do what was right even when it was unpopular, even when it was dangerous, even when it would result in death!
There is another group of high-minded theologians who have taken up this segment of Jesus’ life for discussion – the liberation theologians. They have talked much about Jesus’ fierce commitment to his convictions. Way too much! However, I find myself in agreement with their ultimate conclusion, which answers the question of why Jesus died, with the blunt assessment that it was because of the way he lived. The strength of Jesus’ convictions and his determination killed him. Could this be said of us? Are we willing to stand for what is good, right, and fully human, even to the point of death?
Perhaps Paul’s assessment of Jesus’ reputation can help you today. Do you struggle to be appropriately and fully recognized for who you are, what you do, what you have done? Do you expect people to accord you respect because of your reputation? Take a look at the deference of Jesus, could it help you? Maybe you struggle to be of service to your world. In a community noted for it’s volunteerism, maybe you are among those who say “I’ve earned the right to do nothing but what I want to in retirement, and that’s what I’m going to do”! Maybe you struggle because the service you do takes so much out of you, or seems to return so little. Take a look at the service of Jesus, could it help you? Maybe you struggle with the strength of your convictions and determination. You may just want to give up, or give in, because it costs so much, because it seems so hard, because no one else seems to care. Take a look at the convictions and determination of Jesus, could they help you?
It has been more than twenty – five years since my Boy’s State experience. When we moved to Tellico, I think I finally threw out the last of the three t-shirts we wore for six days – in June. Many of the memories have faded, but McWherter’s story about the building and care of a reputation has stayed with me, reminding me of the things that really matter.
This seems to be the essence of Paul’s statement to the Philippians about Jesus. What really mattered was his ability to give up his importance, his willingness to serve, and the strength of his convictions and determination. It is because of these things that we still wave palm branches, shout hosanna, and call him blessed over two thousand years later than the first time it happened. Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!