by Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem—not on a war horse with military fanfare as a Roman governor might, but on a donkey, accompanied by ordinary followers waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” This humble entry reveals something profound about Christ’s character and kingship.
What Makes Life Worth Living?
In our journey through Philippians, we’ve been exploring deep questions: What makes life worth living? What is God really like? Is Jesus still relevant today? Why can’t people just get along?
The book of Philippians points us toward answers, and it’s all centered on Christ. In fact, there are over 100 references to Jesus in just four chapters! Paul opens with the incredible declaration, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” For Paul, everything revolves around Jesus.
The Path of Humility
In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul writes:
If then there’s any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in the spirit and intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
This is Paul applying Jesus’s greatest commandments: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. He’s showing what this love looks like in practice—putting others above ourselves.
This doesn’t mean becoming a doormat or awkwardly insisting others go through doors first! It means living with your head on a swivel, looking for people who need help, putting their interests above your own, and avoiding self-centeredness.
It’s worth noting that humility wasn’t valued in Roman culture. In fact, Greek and Roman philosophers considered humility equivalent to weakness. So when Paul told a church of Roman military veterans to be humble, it would have been shocking.
The Christ Hymn
Paul gives us the ultimate example of humility in verses 5-11, what scholars believe was one of the earliest Christian hymns:
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited,
but instead, he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death
—even to death on a cross.
For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow
—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—
and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
This is the gospel in its essence. Jesus, who existed in the form of God, emptied himself and took on the form of a servant. He humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. And because of this, God exalted him above everything else.
When we confess “Jesus Christ is Lord,” we’re making a radical statement—especially in Philippi, a hotspot of emperor worship where “Caesar is Lord” would have been a common declaration. We’re saying no one else is worthy of that title. No one else has that kind of authority and power—not the emperor, president, king, or anyone else.
Living It Out
So what does this mean for us? Paul tells us:
Therefore… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it’s God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may be blameless and pure children of God, who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world by holding firm to the word of life.
Do the work! Not because we’re saved by our works, but because we do the work as a result of being saved. It’s God who empowers and motivates us. Salvation isn’t a one-time event you keep to yourself; it’s an ongoing process meant to be lived out loud.
In a dark world, believers should shine like stars. If people are surprised to find out you’re a Christian, you need to do better. Your faith is meant to be known.
Examples to Follow
Paul gives us four examples of this self-sacrificing love:
- Jesus – The Son of God who became servant of all through self-sacrificial love
- Paul – A slave of Christ, pouring himself out in service to others
- Timothy – A man who cared about others’ interests above his own
- Epaphroditus – A messenger who nearly died in service to Paul and the church
A Christ-Centered Life is a Life Worth Living
At the heart of our faith is knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference.
- Know God: Jesus shows us what God is like—a God of self-giving love, humility, and a servant heart.
- Find Freedom: True freedom comes from breaking the chains of selfishness and living fully into Christ’s example.
- Discover Purpose: Your purpose is to embody the characteristics of Christ—his humility, selfless service, and love for others.
- Make a Difference: Serve with a Christlike attitude in whatever you do, letting your life become a visible expression of the gospel’s transformative power.
Jesus had one triumphal entry recorded in the gospels, but there will be another time when He returns in ultimate triumph. On that day, everyone will bow and confess Him as Lord—either willingly now or by compulsion then.
As Colossians 3:1-4 reminds us: “If you’ve been raised with Christ, seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God… for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Is Christ your life? Will you rejoice on that day? If not, make that decision now.
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Daniel N. Lee 