ORDINARY EXAMPLES OF THE CARMEN CHRISTI
We have had the veil pulled back on the life of Jesus so that we may observe this beautiful picture of Christ’s humility. According to the Carmen Christi (the song of Christ, 2:5-11), Jesus emptied himself of the glory of his nature and took on the form of humanity to be a servant and to die for us.
In view of this, we are to work out our salvation. In other words, we are to follow the example of Christ. But what an act to follow. The Church is supposed to follow this beautiful example of Jesus’ sacrifice – Is this what people see? Is the Church living out a humble, sacrificial expression of Jesus? Am I? And how can I hope to follow such an example? Is it possible for an ordinary person to imitate Jesus?
Paul says “Yes!” Our lives are a witness to the fact that Jesus suffered and died. And by following his example of humility and sacrifice for each other, people will see the truth of a life changed by Jesus. Even if we fail at it, the gospel will still be seen in us. But when we sacrifice, serve, and care for one another, people will see Jesus even more clearly. It still seems impossible to imitate Jesus. How can ordinary people like us follow an extraordinary person like Jesus? Only with Jesus’ help…
Paul, after showing us the extraordinary example of Christ, gives us two very ordinary examples of living the Christ-centered life. Timothy and Epaphroditus were down-to-earth men who allowed Jesus, by his Spirit, to empower them to live sacrificial lives. They are an encouragement to us that it is possible to be an ordinary example of the extraordinary Jesus.
Let’s look first at a thumbnail of Timothy…
1. Timothy: An Example of Unselfish Servanthood (2:19-24)
It may seem odd to insert in the middle of a letter, after something like the Carmen Christi, to talk about travel plans. Paul wants to send Timothy, an outsider to the Philippians, to the church at Philippi to see how things are going in the church and to report back to Paul. Very administrative stuff; not very theological. But then again, maybe there is a deeper, more spiritual motive.
Paul writes, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all (who are “they”) seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ,” (20-21). There are clues in this passage that hint at Paul’s intentions for sending Timothy to the Philippians.
First, Paul says, “I have no one like him.” Wouldn’t you want someone to say that about you? That’s high praise. Yet we know that Paul’s traveling buddy has his weaknesses. In his letters to Timothy, we get the sense that Paul chides him for being too timid (2 Tim. 1) and is sometimes physically hindered by ill health (1Tim 5:23). Timothy was not an athlete or an A-type personality who commands a room, but Paul commends him for his selfless care. As a constant companion of Paul’s, Timothy demonstrated a consistent caring heart.
Timothy had a pastoral heart. You don’t have to preach to have a pastoral heart. If you care about people and want to help them to find their way, you have a pastoral heart. “Pastor” comes from shepherding imagery, so feeding, leading, protecting, and healing are pastoral work. That is, perhaps, why it is actually incorrect to call me “pastor” since many of you are pastors as well.
Second, Paul has talked about those preachers who have tried to take his place while he was in prison (These preachers are the “they” in verse 21). He said, “Some…preach Christ from envy…out of selfish ambition…” (1:15, 17). Paul said “let them” as long as they preach Christ. But for those who want to follow the example of Christ, he said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility…” (2:3). Then he shows the Philippians, Jesus. And then he sends Timothy…
So why does Paul send Timothy to Philippi? He sends an ordinary guy who loves the Lord Jesus to show them what it means to love one another. He is a living, breathing example of what the humility of Christ looks like in service and selflessness.
No, he’s not perfect; yes, he has flaws and weaknesses. But by the grace of Christ he is showing them Jesus.
2. Epaphroditus: An Example of Suffering Servanthood
Paul wants to send the Philippians another living, breathing example, but this guy is one of their own. Sometimes it is easy to admire the Christian from another church, or the preacher on TV. But one of your own? Someone you grew up with? You know his or her flaws too well.
Epaphroditus was one of their own; he was an insider. There is actually a great story behind this. When the Philippians heard that Paul was in prison, their hearts were moved to action. They sent him a gift of money, and they delivered it through Epaphroditus. They couldn’t all go and be with Paul, so they chose Epaphroditus to represent them and serve Paul physically to attend to his needs. This was a brave thing to do – be a personal attendant to a man facing a capital charge. What if they charged him with the same crime? What if he refused to call Caesar “lord”?
While in Rome, Epaphroditus became quite ill, deathly ill. Paul felt it best to send him back home where some, no doubt, would probably feel like he had failed his mission. Someone may have said, “You were sent to care for Paul. And he had to care for you.” But Paul wrote, “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier and your messenger and minister to my need,” (25). If there was any doubt, Paul heaps up five descriptors of how valuable this man was to Paul. He calls him “brother,” a term of affection between those who belong to Christ; fellow worker – someone who shared in proclaiming Jesus; fellow soldier – one who obeys the commands of king Jesus; your messenger – the one you sent; and minister – a term that reveals how deeply Epaphroditus served Paul – even when it nearly cost him his life.
Epaphroditus’ friends and family in Philippi viewed him as an ordinary guy. We find it difficult to esteem those among us because when we weigh each other on the scales of life, the balances lean to the negative, the flaws, the weaknesses. But those who quietly serve Jesus, who host people in their homes, who pray in secret for the church, who talk to the fringe guy or girl standing alone – these are ordinary examples of the Carmen Christi – the example of Christ.
Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French monk who worked in a monastery kitchen peeling potatoes, wrote, “That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
Paul concludes his commendation of Timothy (the outsider) and Epaphroditus (the insider) saying, “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men…” (29).
Honor such people as these in our midst.
Who are our examples in this church today of ordinary faithfulness? Who would you nominate as an example of Christlike servanthood?
Perhaps to name these people publicly would embarrass them. And there would be hurt feelings among those who are not identified and yet have given so much to serve. But maybe I could challenge you to approach them privately, out of earshot, by text or by email, to tell them, “I nominate you.” And then tell them, “Here’s why…you are an example to me of ______________”
There have been many examples in my life of people who exemplify Jesus. Many of them are here today. But I will name one who is not: Ed Neufeld, my seminary professor, pastoral colleague, and friend. When he prayed, he talked to Jesus so simply and yet with such intimacy – I really believed we were talking to Jesus, you know? And whenever we talked casually, we talked of Jesus and the Word – it was so natural and so encouraging. His kindness and compassion for my challenges and troubles were Christlike. Ed was my Timothy in so many ways.
Who is your ordinary example of Jesus? Let them know how Christ has touched you through them.
Look for Jesus in each other. He’s revealing himself in our midst in the people we know.
AMEN
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