Pair-a-Bowla
One of my earliest sermons while in seminary was on Philippians 2:1-11 bibrefphilippians2 bibrefphilippians2v1 bibrefphilippians2v2 bibrefphilippians2v3 bibrefphilippians2v4 bibrefphilippians2v5 bibrefphilippians2v6 bibrefphilippians2v7 bibrefphilippians2v8 bibrefphilippians2v9 bibrefphilippians2v10 bibrefphilippians2v11. Paul urges the believers: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (verse 3). The basis for humility is Jesus’ humility. The Philippians were to “have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself” (verses 5-7). Jesus didn’t grab at position, He grabbed a towel (think John 13:1-17 bibrefjohn13 bibrefjohn13v1 bibrefjohn13v2 bibrefjohn13v3 bibrefjohn13v4 bibrefjohn13v5 bibrefjohn13v6 bibrefjohn13v7 bibrefjohn13v8 bibrefjohn13v9 bibrefjohn13v10 bibrefjohn13v11 bibrefjohn13v12 bibrefjohn13v13 bibrefjohn13v14 bibrefjohn13v15 bibrefjohn13v16 bibrefjohn13v17). Christ humbled Himself through the lowest levels of servant-hood and obedience and even to death on a cross. Paul concludes: “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name” (verse 9).
In my study for that sermon I read a great commentary with a killer illustration. The author described a u-shaped curve and how Jesus, being God, was at the top, then descended to the lowest part through death, and then was exalted by God to the top again on the other side. I spoke through the whole sermon talking about the great “pair-a-bowla” of Christ. A friend mentioned to me afterward that it sounded a lot like the word parabola.
Mispronunciation or not, remember that Christ’s descent was for you and I. He came down to get us. That’s not because we were great. Then He would have needed to come up. He came down, but He takes us back with Him. There is happiness in humility, and also honor. God sees to it that those who follow the example of Christ get encouragement in Christ.