The Mind of Christ: His Submission

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5, NKJV)

“Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Numbers 16 records for us the events of Korah and his cohorts’ rebellion against the LORD because they wanted to be the leaders of Israel instead of Moses and Aaron. The next day the LORD opened the earth to swallow up these rebels (vs. 32). But then on the very next day (vs. 41-50), all of Israel rose up in rebellion against Moses and Aaron and the LORD commenced a plague of death. Aaron willingly submitted to Moses’ command to take up his censer and run into the plague of death itself. We’re told in verse 48, that Aaron “stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.”

In like manner, we see that Jesus was willing to be in submission to His Father’s will to run into the plague of death and to actually die for rebels like us. Where was there ever submission like this? The life of Jesus was one long martyrdom. From Bethlehem's manger to Calvary's cross, there was scarcely one break in the clouds; these gathered more darkly and ominously around Him — until they burst over His devoted head as He uttered His expiring cry, “It is finished”! Yet throughout this pilgrimage of sorrow — no murmuring complaint escaped His thoughts or lips. The most suffering of all suffering lives — was one of uncomplaining submission.

"Nevertheless I want Your will to be done — not Mine!" was the motto of this wondrous Son of Man! When He came into the world and thus announced His advent, "I delight to do Your will, O my God! (Ps. 40:8)" When He left it, we listen to the same prayer of blended agony and acquiescence, "O My Father, if it is possible — let this cup pass from Me! Yet I want Your will to be done — not Mine!"

Brothers and sisters, is this mind of Christ also in you? Ah, what are our trials in this health pandemic — compared to His? What are the ripples in our tide of woe — compared to the waves and billows which swept over Him! If He, the spotless Lamb of God, "murmured not," how can we murmur and complain? 

Have you found yourself drifting, like I have, into complaining about any of these and other areas?

• Having either your children, spouse, or both home all day with you
• The stores do not have everything that you want
• How the government is handling the current situation
• People are either overreacting or underreacting to current events
• There needs to be more scientific information available

As we drink of the sweet spirit of the Greater Aaron’s submission, we will be able thus to meet, yes, even to welcome, our deepest trials, by praying,

Prayer: “O heavenly Father, forgive me for complaining during this trial. Yes, all is well, just because it is Your blessed will. Take me, use me, chasten me — as seems good in Your sight. My will is resolved into Yours. This trial is dark; I cannot see the 'why and the wherefore' of it — yet I want Your will to be done — not mine!” In Jesus Name. Amen

May the mind of Christ direct your thoughts and actions for His glory!