April 13 2025 Sermon
Every Palm Sunday Philippians 2:5-11
2:5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,
2:8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross.
Paul is urging believers to adopt Christ Jesus’ attitude, perspective, priorities, his way of thinking and living. Our life is about aligning our inner selves with the spirit and character of Jesus. Centered not on earthly powers or conventional wisdom, but on the one who “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”
Each Gospel offers a distinctive perspective on Christ’s passion and death
Luke strongly emphasizes Jesus’ innocence.1 Roman Governor Pilate declares him innocent three times (Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22), and even Herod Antipas finds no fault in him (Luke 23:15).2 The centurion at the cross proclaims, “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Luke 23:47), a variation from Mark’s “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) and Matthew’s similar statement (Matthew 27:54). This highlights Jesus as a just man unjustly condemned.
We can never, by our own, take on the innocence of Jesus, but we can strive to humbly seek to always do the will of God. Our failures, despite our best efforts, to achieve our own innocence can help us adopt Jesus attitude of Compassion and Mercy: Luke portrays Jesus as consistently compassionate, even in his suffering.3 Unique to Luke is the account of Jesus healing the ear of the high priest’s servant after Peter cut it off (Luke 22:50-51). On the cross, Jesus prays for his persecutors, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).4 He also offers salvation to the repentant thief crucified alongside him, saying, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).5 These instances underscore Jesus’ boundless mercy and forgiveness.
The need for Compassion and mercy is no more needed than for the marginalized, those living on the edges of society, barely hanging on. Focus on the Marginalized: Consistent with Luke’s broader gospel, the passion narrative includes a focus on those often overlooked. He mentions the women of Jerusalem weeping for Jesus on his way to the cross, and Jesus’ interaction with them (Luke 23:27-31). The inclusion of the repentant thief is another example of extending grace to an outcast in his final moments.6
Holy week offers a superlative opportunity for us to respond to Paul exhortation to Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. By God’s grace, may we seize this opportunity.