April 4, 2004 Palm Sunday	Read Philippians 2: 5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.
HE WAS A SERVANT UNTO DEATH As a gift to me upon my election to the office of Bishop, Deaconess Doreen gave me a pitcher, bowl, and towel, the symbols of servanthood.  They are pictured most prominently in John 13 where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.  These symbols today sit in my office as a constant reminder that the calling of every Christian is to be a servant unto others.  Let the same mind be in you... ...that was in Christ Jesus.  What a Savior we have in Jesus Christ!  I write this devotion when the song of the angels is still ringing in the air.  The magi, following the star, have knelt and worshiped him.  And Jesus, standing in the waters of the Jordan, heard, You are my Son, the Beloved.  With you I am well pleased (Lk 2). He could have had the big head, boasting his family name and origin, rightly resisting immersion into the mess of human life.  But he didn’t protest or pull rank, but emptied himself.  He poured out his very self, spilled his blood, gave his life, humbled himself, and was obedient....obeying his Father unto death.  And not just any death, but the ignominious death of the cross. It is Palm Sunday, or more correctly, the Sunday of the Passion, the beginning of Great or Holy Week.  The week leads to Good Friday and, yes, to Good News, the very theme of this Lenten series.  Paul speaks of Jesus’ death this way in 2 Corinthians 5–God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself...for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  Martin Luther called it the blessed exchange; Professor Bertram, the sweet swap.  Servant Jesus takes all the mess of our sin and death into his dying; in exchange he freely gives us life and light eternal.  What a servant!  What Good News! Before this Servant of all, the day will come, when every knee will bend and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord.  As you enter this week, O servants, have this mind among you..... BISHOP GERALD MANSHOLT

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